196th Reconnaissance Squadron

196th Reconnaissance Squadron
196th Reconnaissance Squadron General Atomics MQ-1 Predator 03-33123 takes its first flight on 25 February 2009.
Active	1943 – present
Country	United States
Allegiance	California
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Squadron
Role	Reconnaissance
Part of	California Air National Guard
Garrison/HQ	March Joint Air Reserve Base, Riverside, California
Nickname(s)	Grizzly
Tail Code	CA
Engagements	World War II
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
196th Reconnaissance Squadron emblem

The 196th Reconnaissance Squadron (196 RS) is a unit of the 163d Reconnaissance Wing of the California Air National Guard stationed at March Joint Air Reserve Base, California. The 196th is equipped with the MQ-1 Predator.

The 196th Reconnaissance Squadron's primary mission is to support the war on terrorism by providing reconnaissance, flying the MQ-1 Predator, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In November 2006, the squadron's parent wing, formerly the 163rd Air Refueling Wing, was redesignated the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing (163 RW) and the wing and squadron's mobilization gaining command was changed from Air Mobility Command to Air Combat Command (ACC). As the wing's operational squadron, the 196 RS was the first Air National Guard (ANG) unit to receive the MQ-1 Predator and was the first to become a fully functional ANG Flying Training Unit (FTU) and Field Training Detachment (FTD) for the Predator. The FTU trains pilots and sensor operators for ACC, and trains enlisted personnel to assemble, disassemble, maintain and repair the Predator for Air Education and Training Command (AETC).

The squadron was formed at Westover Field, Massachusetts, in August 1943 as the 411th Fighter Squadron, one of three squadrons of the 373d Fighter Group. During World War II the 411th was assigned to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), Ninth Air Force in Western Europe. It was equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts.