| Unit Name: | 43d Electronic Combat Squadron |
| Dates: | 1917–1919; 1935–1936; 1940–1946; 1954–1959; 1986–1991; 1992–present |
| Role: | Electronic combat |
| Command Structure: | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison: | Davis-Monthan AFB |
| Nickname: | Bats |
| Motto: | Veritatem Renunciamus Latin We Report the Truth (1955-1959) |
| Battles: | World War I Pacific Theater of World War II Desert Storm Kosovo War Global War on Terrorism[1] |
| Decorations: | Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 43d Electronic Combat Squadron emblem[2] |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | 43rd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron emblem[3] [4] |
The 43d Electronic Combat Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. Its current assignment is with the 55th Electronic Combat Group, being stationed as a tenant unit at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona as a geographically separated unit from its parent, the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It operates the EA-37B communications-jamming aircraft.
The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 17 August 1917, when it was organized at Kelly Field, Texas. It later served in France as part of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. The squadron saw combat during World War II, and became part of Tactical Air Command during the Cold War.
Along with the 41st Electronic Combat Squadron, the unit accomplishes the Compass Call mission, providing capabilities in the realm of electronic warfare for the Air Force and poised for immediate deployment to specific theater contingencies. The unit's combat mission is to support tactical air, ground and naval operations by confusing the enemy's defenses and disrupting its command and control capabilities.
The squadron flies the Lockheed EC-130H aircraft, a specially configured version of the Air Force's C-130 transport. To execute its missions, the aircraft were modified with electronic countermeasures systems, specialized jamming equipment, the capability for air refuelling, as well as upgraded engines and avionics. Modifications made to the aircraft vary between the two squadrons, to help each squadron meet its specific mission-oriented needs.
The 43rd has a long history beginning 17 August 1917, as the 86th Aero Squadron. It served as part of the zone of advance in France during the latter part of World War I. Then in 1935, it was an observation squadron operating as part of the Air Corps Tactical School at Maxwell Field, Alabama. Beginning 7 December 1941, the squadron conducted patrols over the Hawaiian islands.
The squadron then switched yet again. As a combat mapping squadron, the unit's aircrews flew over Japanese held islands photographing and mapping the terrain and enemy positions. The 86th prepared the way for the taking of the Marshall Islands, Wake Island, Saipan, Guam, and Iwo Jima. Finally, in 1944, the squadron made the first photographic mosaics of Tokyo. The squadron was redesigned as the 43rd Reconnaissance Squadron (Long Range Photographic) in 1945 then was inactivated in 1946.
In January 1954, the 43rd was again activated, this time at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The squadron was initially equipped with the Martin RB-57 Canberra. However, once the Air Force received enough Douglas RB-66B Destroyer to equip more than a single squadron, the squadron transitioned to the Destroyer.[5] It accomplished a night photographic mission. The unit was inactivated in 1959.
Redesignated the 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron, the unit was activated 6 June 1986, at Sembach Air Base, Germany. It served in Europe until 1991, then came to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the 355th Wing on 1 May 1992, as the sister squadron to the 41st. The 43rd earned a combat streamer for its duties in World War I and six more for missions flown in the Pacific during World War II.
Demobilized on 26 May 1919
Inactivated on 1 September 1936
Redesignated 86th Observation Squadron (Medium) on 26 February 1942
Redesignated 86th Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942
Redesignated 86th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bomber) on 31 May 1943
Redesignated 86th Combat Mapping Squadron on 13 November 1943
Redesignated 43d Reconnaissance Squadron, Long Range, Photographic on 16 June 1945
Inactivated on 22 February 1946
Activated on 18 March 1954
Redesignated 43d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photo-Jet on 8 April 1956
Inactivated on 18 May 1959
Activated on 1 October 1986
Inactivated on 31 July 1991