111th Observation Squadron

The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron is an MQ-1 flying squadron assigned to the 147th Operations Group, 147th Reconnaissance Wing based at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas, and part of the Texas Air National Guard & 1st Air Force. In continuous operation since 1923, the Squadron has seen combat in World War II (1942–1945), the Korean War (1951–1952), and the Iraq War (2005, 2007). {| class="toc" id="toc"

Contents
[hide] *1 Missions
 * 2 History
 * 2.1 Early years
 * 2.2 World War II
 * 2.3 Korean War
 * 2.4 Cold War
 * 2.5 Global War on Terror
 * 3 Assignments
 * 3.1 Major Command/Gaining Command
 * 4 Previous designations
 * 5 Bases stationed
 * 6 Aircraft Operated[13]
 * 6.1 Mission Support
 * 6.2 Trainer & Utility
 * 7 See also
 * 8 References
 * 9 External links
 * }

[edit] Missions
The mission of the 111th Reconnaissance Squadron is Tactical Reconnaissance.

[edit] Early years
The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron began as the 111th Aero Squadron on 14 August 1917 at Kelly Field in San Antonio, TX.[1] The unit, composed of teamsters and laborers, was on special duty at Kelly Field and was known as the "Post Headquarters Squadron." The squadron demobilized 19 August 1919 but was called to service again, receiving Federal Recognition on 29 June 1923 in the old Houston Light Guard Armory, as the 111th Observation Squadron, 36th Division, Texas Air National Guard.[1] ' Lt. Walter Reed, unit active duty instructor (left) and Major Bernard Law, first commander (right) by the instructor's DH-4B in the summer of 1926.The squadron had no airplanes, so the hot summer of 1923 was devoted to close-order drill and classroom sessions. That was remedied, however, in September of that year when the 111th became airborne in the Curtiss JN-6H Jenny.

In September 1927 the Curtiss JN-6Hs were retired and the squadron gained Consolidated PT-1s and several other trainers until June 1928 when new Douglas O-2H observation aircraft arrived. These planes were replaced with new Douglas O-38 observation planes in January 1931. By 1938 the squadron was flying both Douglas Douglas O-43As and North American O-47s.

[edit] World War II
With the onset of World War II, the unit was called into federal service 25 November 1940 and trained with the 36th Division at Brownwood Airfield Texas[2] until Pearl Harbor was bombed, it was sent to the Mexican border, Fort Clark Springs Texas. The border patrol was short, and on 14 February 1942, the squadron left Texas for Daniel Field in Augusta, Georgia, and became part of the 68th Observation Group. Pilots trained on Douglas O-43A, Vultee/Stinson O-49/L-1 Vigilant and Douglas A-20B Havoc aircraft in preparation for deployment to the European Theater of Operations (ETO).

In 1942 the ground echelon and some pilots made their way to Scotland then England in preparation for landing on the Algerian beaches as part of Operation Torch, their shiny new P-39 Airacobrashad to be assembled and tested before flying from England to Algeria. Some of the pilots of the 68th Group flew their A-20s directly across the Atlantic on the "Southern Route" and immediately began flying over the Mediterranean in anti-submarine patrols, sinking at least one submarine. As the invasion force moved inland, the three squadrons of the group divided up the A-20s and P-39s by squadron and the 111th took on the Fighter Reconnaissance role in the P-39. 111th Tactical Recon Squadron F-6A (photo variant of P-51C) Northern France December 1944.In March 1943, the 111th left the 68th Group to defend against a possible invasion of French Morocco from Spanish Morocco while the rest of the group was selected to support the Tunisian Campaign of the Army’s II Corps. In June 1943 the newly redesignated 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, flying Allison engined P-51’s, became the eyes of the 7th Army in Sicily, Operation Husky. They were temporarily assigned to the 5th Army in Italy, but returned in July 1944 in time to support the 7th Army’s invasion of Southern France, Operation Dragoon. The 111th remained with the 7th Army through the end of the war. From VE Day until December 1945, the Squadron served in the occupation force, and conducted postwar photo-mapping of the devastation in France.

During 23 months of continuous combat flying, from June 1943 through May 1945, the 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flew 3,840 reconnaissance missions. While keeping Army Headquarters informed of enemy movements, the 111th destroyed 44 enemy aircraft, damaged 29 others and claimed 12 probable kills. The squadron received eight Battle Stars, a Distinguished Unit Citation, and the French Croix de Guerre for its World War II accomplishments.[3]

[edit] Korean War
The 111th Fighter Squadron was reformed at Ellington AFB in 1947 as part of an expanded Air National Guard. On 27 June 1950 the 136th Fighter Bomber Wing was formed to fight in Korea, and was made up of the 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, the 182nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, and the 154th Fighter-Bomber Squadron. The 111th initially operated from Itazuke Airbase, Japan. Later that summer the 111th joined the rest of the 136th Fighter Bomber Group at Taegu, Korea.[4]

22 of 27 Air National Guard Wings and 67 of 84 flying squadrons were called to active Federal service between October 1950 and April 1951. Only two Air Guard wings, the 116th Fighter Bomber Wing (Georgia) and the 136th Fighter Bomber Wing (Texas) fought in Korea, entering combat in May 1951. Both wings had to transition from outdated aircraft to the F-84 Thunderjet before shipping off to war. Most of the missions assigned to the 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron were close air support, and aerial interdiction of enemy troops and supplies.[5]

The squadron flew over 6,000 escort, interdiction, and close air support sorties for the United Nations Troops and 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron pilots destroyed at least two Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 fighter jets.[6]

The 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron returned to the Houston Municipal Airport without aircraft or personnel in July 1952 and began to rebuild. In July 1956 the F-80 Shooting Stars of the 111th Fighter Squadron went on "Dawn to Dusk" alert at the Houston Municipal Airport.[3] F-86D Sabre Texas Air National Guard.===[edit] Cold War=== With the squadron's conversion to all weather F-86D Sabre interceptors in August 1957, plans were made to reorganize the 600 man Augmented Squadron to an Air Defense Command group structure. On 16 May 1958 the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group was formed with five new squadrons to support the 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.[3] F-102A Delta Dagger Texas Air National Guard.F-101F Voodoo Interceptor Texas Air National Guard.In June 1959 the squadron traded their F-86D Sabre for the upgraded F-86L Sabre with uprated afterburning engines and new electronics.

In August 1960 the unit became one of the first to transition to the F-102A Delta Dagger all-weather fighter interceptor and began a 24-hour alert to guard the Texas Gulf coast. By January 1970 the group was starting a new mission: training all F-102 pilots in the United States for the Air National Guard.

On 6 May 1971 the unit received F-101F Voodoo fighter interceptors and became the training center for all Air National Guard interceptors. In August 1974, after 14 years of service, the unit's F-102s were retired, but the unit maintained a full fleet of F-101s.

The squadron converted to F-4C Phantoms in 1982 and converted to F-4D Phantoms starting in November 1986.

In September 1989 the 111th converted to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and by June 1992 the jets were being converted to F-16 air defense fighters, later converting to F-16 Fighting Falcon beginning in September 1996; a transition completed by February 1997.[7]

In October 2000, elements of the 111th Fighter Squadron and the 147th Fighter Wing deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia for Operation Southern Watch.[3]

[edit] Global War on Terror
Symbol of the 111thFollowing the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, four 111th Fighter Squadron aircraft were launched to escort President George W. Bush, onboard Air Force 1 from Florida to Louisiana, Nebraska and finally back to Washington DC that same day. December 2001 saw the 111th deploy to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to fly Air Defense Combat Air Patrol missions over New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC in support of Operation Noble Eagle.[7]

In August 2005 components of the 111th Fighter Squadron and 147th Fighter Wing deployed to Balad Airbase, Iraq to conduct combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. The men and women of the 111th FS/147th FW once again distinguished themselves by flying 462 sorties and almost 1,900 hours in a two-month span; with a perfect record of 100% maintenance delivery (zero missed sorties), 100% mission effectiveness, and 100% weapons employment/hits under the most challenging combat conditions.[7]

The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended the retirement of the Block 25 F-16 aircraft from the Air National Guard. This prompted the Texas Governor Rick Perry to assign the newly acquired MQ-1 Predator reconnaissance mission to the 147th Wing.

In April 2007, components of the 111th Fighter Squadron and 147th Fighter Wing again deployed to Balad Airbase, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism, where the men and women of the 111th FS/147th FW continued their distinguished combat tradition. On this deployment the 111th Fighter Squadron flew 348 tasked sorties, plus six no-notice Close Air Support (CAS) alert scrambles and four short-notice (less than 30 minute & not on the ATO[8] ) pre-planned alert launches. With an average combat sortie lasting almost 4.42 hours, the unit accumulated a total of 1537.1 combat hours. Maintenance delivery effectiveness for this deployment was an astonishing 102% due to the inclusion of the unscheduled CAS scrambles. Mission effectiveness and weapons employment were both once again a perfect 100%.[9]

[edit] Major Command/Gaining Command

 * Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1992–present)
 * Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1980–1992)
 * Air National Guard/Aerospace Defense Command (1958–1980)

[edit] Previous designations

 * 14 August 1917 111th Aero Squadron Kelly Field, Texas
 * Before August 1919 redesignated 632nd Aero Squadron
 * 19 August 1919 demobilized
 * 29 June 1923 111th Observation Squadron attached to the 36th Infantry Division
 * September 1923 Ellington Field, Texas
 * 1927 Houston Municipal Airport[10]
 * 25 November 1940 called into Federal service<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-1">[2]


 * January 1941 Brownwood, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-2">[2]
 * March 1941 Houston, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-3">[2]
 * May 1941 Abilene, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-4">[2]
 * June 1941 Brownwood, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-5">[2]
 * August 1941 Mansfield, Louisiana<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-6">[2]
 * November 1941 Greenville, South Carolina<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-7">[2]
 * 6 December 1941 Brownwood, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-0">[11]
 * Early 1942 111th Observation Squadron attached to the 68th Observation Group, Macon, Georgia<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-timeline_9-1">[10]


 * 1942 Morris Field, North Carolina<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-8">[2]
 * 21 September 1942 Fort Dix, New Jersey<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-9">[2]
 * 3 October 1942 Gourock, Scotland<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-10">[2]
 * 4 October 1942 Wattisham Station, England<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-11">[2]
 * 23 October 1942 Greenock, Scotland<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-12">[2]
 * 8 November 1942 Arzew, Algeria – Operation Torch<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-13">[2]
 * 10 November 1942 St. Leu, Algeria<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-1">[11]
 * 16 November 1942 Tafaroui, Algeria<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-2">[11]
 * 19 December 1942 Oujda, French Morocco<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-3">[11]
 * 4 April 1943 Guercif, French Morocco<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-4">[11]
 * 27 May 1943 Nuvion, Algeria<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-5">[11]
 * June 1943 111th Reconnaissance Squadron – independent operations – Nuvion, Algeria<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Tactical_1-14">[2]
 * 20 June 1943 111th Reconnaissance Squadron – 68th Reconnaissance Group Bou Fischa, Tunisia<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-6">[11]


 * 2 July 1943 Korba, Tunisia<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-7">[11]
 * 14 July 1943 Ponte Olivio, Sicily<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-8">[11] - Operation Husky
 * 11 August 1943 Termini Imerese, Sicily<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-9">[11]
 * 2 September 1943 Sant' Antonio, Sicily<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-10">[11]
 * 16 September 1943 Sele Airfield, Italy<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-11">[11]
 * 5 October 1943 Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-12">[11]
 * 9 May 1944 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron – 68th Tactical Reconnaissance Group – 12th Tactical Air Command Santa Maria, Italy<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-13">[11]


 * 6 June 1944 Anzio-Nettuno, Italy<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-14">[11]
 * 11 June 1944 Ponte Galeria, Italy<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-15">[11]
 * 18 June 1944 Voltone, Italy<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-16">[11]
 * 2 July 1944 Follonica, Italy<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-17">[11]
 * 21 July 1944 Borgo, Corsica<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-18">[11]
 * 27 August 1944 St. Raphael, France<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-19">[11] - Operation Dragoon
 * 5 September 1944 Valence, France<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-20">[11]
 * 9 September 1944 Satolas-et-Bonce, France<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-21">[11]
 * 23 September 1944 Dijon, France<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-22">[11]
 * 30 October 1944 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron – Provisional Reconnaissance Group Azelot, France<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-23">[11]
 * 2 April 1945 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron – 69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group – First Tactical Air Force (Provisional) Haguenau, France<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-24">[11]


 * 1 July 1945 Fürth, Germany<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-chron_10-25">[11]
 * December 1945 111th Fighter Squadron Ellington Field, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-timeline_9-2">[10]
 * October 1950 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron attached to the 136th Fighter-Bomber Group<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-maxwell_11-0">[12]


 * 1 August 1951 Itazuke Airbase, Japan<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-maxwell_11-1">[12]
 * September 1951 Taegu, Korea<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-maxwell_11-2">[12]
 * July 1952 111th Fighter-Bomber Squadron Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-timeline_9-3">[10]
 * September 1953 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron Hobby Airport, Houston, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-timeline_9-4">[10]


 * November 1956 attached to the Aerospace Defense Command, Ellington Field, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-timeline_9-5">[10]
 * October 1957 Air National Guard Jet Instrument School, Ellington Field, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-timeline_9-6">[10]
 * May 1958 attached to the 147th Fighter Interceptor Group, Ellington Field, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-timeline_9-7">[10]
 * October 1995 111th Fighter Squadron still attached to a redesignated 147th Fighter Wing, Ellington Field, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-timeline_9-8">[10]
 * June 2008 111th Reconnaissance Squadron still attached to a redesignated 147th Reconnaissance Wing, Ellington Field, Texas<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-timeline_9-9">[10]

[edit] Bases stationed
==[edit] Aircraft Operated<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-aircraft_12-0">[13] ==
 * Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas (1917-1923)
 * Ellington Field, Houston, Texas (1923-1927)
 * Houston Municipal Airport, Houston, Texas (1927-1956)
 * Ellington Field, Houston, Texas (1956–present)

[edit] Mission Support

 * MQ-1 Predator (2008–present)
 * F-16C Fighting Falcon (1995–2007)
 * F-16A/B Fighting Falcon (1989–1995)
 * F-4D Phantom II (1987–1989)
 * F-4C Phantom II (1982–1987)
 * RF-4C Phantom II (1974) (about two months, orders changed)
 * F-101B/F Voodoo (1971–1982)
 * F-102A Delta Dagger (1960–1974)
 * F-86L Sabre (1959–1960)
 * F-86D Sabre (1957–1959)
 * F-80C Shooting Star (1953–1957)
 * F-51H Mustang (1952–1953)
 * F-84E Thunderjet (1951–1952)
 * F-51D Mustang (1947–1951)
 * T-6 Texan (1947–1953)
 * UC-64A Norseman (1945) (Mapped Post-War France)
 * F-6D Mustang (1945)
 * F-6C Mustang (1944–1945)
 * F-6A Mustang (1943–1944)
 * P-39L/N Airacobra (1942–1943)
 * A-20B Havoc (1942–1943)
 * L-4 Grasshopper (1941–1942)
 * O-52 Owl (1941–1942)
 * O-49 Vigilant (1941–1942)
 * North American O-47A/B (1938–1942)
 * Douglas O-43A (1934–1938)
 * Douglas O-38E (1931–1934)
 * Douglas O-2H (1928–1931)
 * Douglas O-2C (1926–1927) – first new airplane and first operationally equipped airplane, the Guard Bureau bought one for each squadron
 * TW-3 Trusty (1924–1926)
 * JN-6H Jenny (1923–1927)

[edit] Trainer & Utility

 * C-26B Metroliner (1991–2007)
 * C-26A Metroliner (1989–1995)
 * C-131B Samaritan (1978–1989) (Miss Piggy)
 * VT-29D Samaritan (1974–1978)
 * Cessna U-3A (1970–1974)
 * C-54 Skymaster (1967–1974)
 * TF-102A Delta Dagger (1960–1974) (Initially two, 6–8 aircraft starting for Jet Instruction School)
 * T-33A Shooting Star (1951–1987), (1957–1962) (18 aircraft for the Jet Instruction School)
 * C-47 Skytrain (1947–1967)
 * B-26 Invader (1947–1950) (Target tug)
 * L-5 Sentinel (1947–1951)
 * P-43 Lancer (1942) (State-side training)
 * P-40 Warhawk (1942) (State-side training)
 * BC-1A Texan (1940–1941)
 * O-17 Courier (1928–1933) – supplemented O-2Hs, later modified-the PT-3 standard and kept as trainers
 * PT-1 Trusty (1927)
 * Huff-Daland TW-5 (1924–1926)
 * PT-1 Trusty (1924–1926)
 * Vought VE-7 Bluebird (1924–1926)
 * Airco DH-4B (1924–1926) – single aircraft assigned-the Unit Instructor