12th Observation Squadron

12th Reconnaissance Squadron
12th Reconnaissance Squadron RQ-4 Global Hawk
Active	2 June 1917 – 31 March 1946 29 July 1946 – 28 March 1949 25 February 1951 – 8 March 1960 3 November 1965 – 30 September 1992 8 November 2001 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Aerial reconnaissance
Size	Squadron
Part of	Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Beale Air Force Base, California
Motto(s)	Know Your Enemy
Engagements	World War I Occupation of the Rhineland World War II - EAME Theater Korean Service Medal Vietnam War 1991 Gulf War (Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation of Kuwait) Afghanistan Campaign Iraq Campaign
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Battle honours	Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-[c. 11 Aug] 1944
Commanders
Notable commanders	Lewis H. Brereton Robert Merrill Lee
Insignia
12th Reconnaissance Squadron emblem (approved 2 February 1924)
Aircraft flown
Reconnaissance	RQ-4 Global Hawk

The 12th Reconnaissance Squadron (12 RS) is a United States Air Force squadron, assigned to the 69th Reconnaissance Group at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, and operates from Beale Air Force Base, California.

The squadron traces its lineage to the Air Service, United States Army 12th Aero Squadron, activated on 2 June 1917 at Kelly Field, Texas. It earned seven Campaign Streamers in World War I flying the French Salmson 2A2 aircraft as a Corps Observation squadron. The squadron again flew tactical reconnaissance missions in France and Northern Europe during World War II as part of Ninth Air Force. As a United States Air Force squadron, it flew reconnaissance missions in the Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism.

Aircrews of the 12th have flown over 40 different aircraft since its beginnings in 1917, fought in more than 25 major campaigns, operated from over 60 stations, and received more than 20 unit citations. Today, it continues its history of reconnaissance, now equipped with the RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Reconnaissance Vehicle (UAV).

The 12th Reconnaissance Squadron plans and executes worldwide high-altitude combat surveillance and reconnaissance missions including peacetime intelligence gathering, contingency operations and conventional warfare. Operating the RQ-4B Global Hawk Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), the 12 RS provides signals intelligence and near real-time imagery intelligence to fulfill operational requirements generated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in support of the Secretary of Defense and unified commanders.