| Unit Name: | 3rd Special Operations Squadron |
| Dates: | 1918–1919; 1919–1944; 1952–1958; 1968–1969; 1976–1991; 2005–present |
| Role: | Unmanned Special Operations |
| Command Structure: | Air Force Special Operations Command |
| Garrison: | Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico |
| Motto: | Pro Patria Pro Liberis Latin |
| Battles: | |
| Decorations: | Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 3rd Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 5 May 2006) |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Patch with unofficial 3rd Air Commando Squadron emblem |
| Identification Symbol 3 Label: | 1st Photographic Section emblem (approved 23 July 1932[2] |
The 3rd Special Operations Squadron is part of the 27th Special Operations Group of the Air Force Special Operations Command at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. It flies MQ-9 Reaper unmanned combat aerial vehicles or "drones"; the 3rd SOS is the first Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) squadron within the AFSOC.
Organized in France in 4 April 1918, the Photographic Section No. 1 processed aerial photographs taken by flying units working with the I Corps Observation Group and the French 38th Army Corps, 5 April–November 1918.[1] [3]
After moving back to the United States in June of 1919, the unit was demobilized in July.
In September 1919 the unit was organized as the 1st Photographic Section, assigned to the 1st Wing and then the 1st Surveillance Group, where they processed aerial photography for associated observation squadrons in Texas until becoming the 3rd Observation Squadron on June 1, 1937.
At Langley Field, Virginia, the squadron engaged in aerial observation work attached to the Coast Artillery School using Bell P-39 Airacobras until April 1942. It supported ground forces on maneuvers during 1942, and served as a training and demonstration unit January 1943 – February 1944. The squadron was not manned or equipped, 1 Mar – 2 July 1944, and was disbanded in July.[1]
Activated again in 28 May 1952 under Strategic Air Command as part of its global reconnaissance mission and known as the 3rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. The squadron did not receive its first aircraft until 1 July 1953, when it immediately began familiarization training, followed by in-flight refueling training in February 1954. It received Boeing RB-47E Stratojet aircraft in March 1954, and conducted its first long-range mission (6 planes to Alaska for 10 days) in May 1954. The squadron deployed at RAF Upper Heyford, England, 14 September – 3 November 1954. Some of these flights were mounted from Thule in Greenland and probed deep into the heart of the Soviet Union, taking a photographic and radar recording of the route attacking SAC bombers would follow to reach their targets. Flights which involved penetrating mainland Russia were termed SENSINT (Sensitive Intelligence) missions. One RB-47 even managed to fly 450 miles inland and photograph the city of Igarka in Siberia. It photographed numerous Air Force bases and American cities, 1954–1958, and participated regularly in SAC exercises. Missions flown on a reduced scale after February 1958 when events showed the vulnerability of the RB-47 to Soviet air defenses and the development of the U-2 aircraft. It slowly became non-operational between 15 April – 1 July 1958 until inactivation in July of 1958. [1]
On 1 May 1968, it was organized as the 3rd Air Commando Squadron at Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam, absorbing resources of the 14th Air Commando Squadron. It flew combat missions in Douglas AC-47D gunships in close air support of ground forces, providing flare illumination and gunfire in support of strategic hamlets, outposts and friendly forces under night attack. From 16 February – 1 May 1969, all squadron aircraft were maintained on ground alert when not flying, due to the Tet Offensive. It began transferring its gunships to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force in June 1969 and flew its last mission on 7 August 1969.[1]
On 15 May, 1976, it was reactivated as the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron, and was not equipped with aircraft, operating out of Camp O'Donnell, Philippines, the Pacific Air Forces Electronic Warfare Range, the Crowe Valley Aerial Gunnery Range, and associated facilities. It provided realistic conventional, tactical, and electronic warfare training in a simulated combat environment during Cope Thunder exercises. These exercises provided combat training for fighter aircrews of the U.S. Marine, U.S. Navy, and allied air forces in the western Pacific area. Following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in June 1991, personnel were evacuated, and the squadron remained unmanned until its inactivation, on 30 September, 1991.[1]
On 28 October, 2005, the 3rd was reactivated as the 3rd Special Operations Squadron. The initial cadre of squadron members attended training in the spring and summer of 2005. The 3rd SOS flew MQ-1B UCAVs. Despite the lack of personnel the 3rd SOS flew 23% of the total Combined Force Air Component Command MQ-1 Predator hours for the last two months of 2005.
In 2005, the 3rd SOS supported the combatant commanders in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. They logged 650 combat sorties in Afghanistan and 4,243 sorties in Iraq. The hours totaled over 14,000 for the combined theaters.
During 2007, the 3rd SOS doubled in size and tripled its combat capabilities. The squadron became the largest MQ-1B squadron in the Air Force within 20 months of its inception.
The 3rd SOS has become the "base-line" Remotely Piloted Aircraft for the Air Force Special Operations Command.
Demobilized on 3 July 1919
Reconstituted and consolidated with the 1st Photographic Section as the 1st Photographic Section on 23 March 1924[4] [5]
Organized on 27 September 1919
Consolidated with Photographic Section No. 1 on 23 March 1924[5]
Redesignated 3rd Observation Squadron on 1 June 1937
Redesignated 3rd Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 January 1942
Redesignated 3rd Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942
Redesignated 3rd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 August 1943
Disbanded on 2 July 1944
Activated on 28 May 1952
Inactivated on 1 July 1958
Consolidated with the 3rd Special Operations Squadron and the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron as the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron on 19 September 1985[4]
Organized on 1 May 1968
Redesignated 3rd Special Operations Squadron on 1 August 1968
Inactivated on 15 September 1969
Consolidated with the 3rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron and the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron as the 3rd Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron on 19 September 1985[4]
Activated on 15 May 1976
Consolidated with the 3rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron and the 3rd Special Operations Squadron on 19 September 1985
Inactivated on 30 September 1991
Activated on 28 October 2005[4]
Detachment at Flin, France, 15–28 June 1918
Detachment at Ourches Aerodrome, France, until c. mid-July 1918