11th Reconnaissance Squadron

11th Reconnaissance Squadron
MQ-1 Predator armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missile
Active	1942-1946; 1947-1949; 1953-1960; 1966-1971; 1971-1979; 1991-1994; 1995-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Aerial reconnaissance
Garrison/HQ	Creech Air Force Base
Engagements	World War II
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation; Air Force Meritorious Unit Award; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
11th Reconnaissance Squadron emblem (approved 20 July 1966)

The US Air Force 11th Reconnaissance Squadron flies MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles and is currently stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada. The 11th oversees the training of pilots and sensor operators assigned to the MQ-1.

The 11th Reconnaissance Squadron is the U.S. Air Force's first MQ-1B Predator formal training unit that conducts 5 basic and advanced training courses: Initial Qualification, Instructor Upgrade Training, Foreign Officer Course, Senior Officer Course, and Launch & Recovery Course.

The squadron was first activated as the 11th Observation Squadron at Wheeler-Sack Field in early 1942. It initially operated in the southeastern United States under Third Air Force flying antisubmarine patrols along the Gulf Coast after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

The unit was reassigned to Fourth Air Force in Southern California during early 1942, flying reconnaissance, mapping, artillery adjustment, bombing, dive-bombing, and strafing missions to support Army ground units in training at the Desert Training Center or on maneuvers. It trained personnel in aerial reconnaissance, medium bombardment, and fighter techniques.

With the closure of the Desert Training Center in late 1943, the unit returned to Third Air Force becoming a reconnaissance training unit for Army forces at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. After the war it was assigned to Shaw Field, South Carolina, and was never fully equipped or manned. The unit inactivated March 1946.

The 11th was reactivated at Langley Field, Virginia in 1947 and equipped with Douglas RB-26 Invaders and Lockheed RF-80 Shooting Stars as a photo-reconnaissance squadron. It was reassigned to Twelfth Air Force and moved to March Air Force Base, California. Budget constraints, though, resulted in the unit's inactivation in March 1949.