3d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
| 3d Space Operations Squadron | |
|---|---|
Defense Satellite Communications System Satellite
|
|
| Active | 1941–1947; 1990–present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Type | Satellite Operations |
| Role | Combat Support |
| Part of | Air Force Space Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado |
| Engagements |
American Theater China Burma India Theater Pacific Theater |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Lt Col Michael C. Todd |
| Insignia | |
| 3d Space Operations Squadron emblem (Approved 5 May 1992) |  |
| 3d Reconnaissance Squadron emblem (Approved 24 July 1943) | .png) |
The United States Air Force's 3d Space Operations Squadron (3 SOPS) is a satellite operations unit located at Schriever AFB, Colorado.
The mission of 3 SOPS is to ensure reliable space-borne communications to the President, the Secretary of Defense and U.S. and Allied Forces. The mission is accomplished by conducting launch and on-orbit operations for the Defense Satellite Communications System Phase III satellites and Wideband Global Satellite. These satellites provide secure high-rate data communications links to the President, the Secretary of Defense, theater commanders, and strategic and tactical forces worldwide.
The squadron was first activated at Maxwell Field, Alabama as the 3d Photographic Squadron under the 1st Photographic Group in May 1941. It performed aerial mapping primarily over the southeastern United States prior to the Pearl Harbor Attack using Bell P-39 Airacobra sub-variants (F-2) which were equipped for the ground-attack and reconnaissance roles. After the United States entry into World War II, the unit flew aerial mapping missions over the Caribbean and northern South America, mapping various islands for locations of airfields to support the South Atlantic Transport route and Antilles Air Command antisubmarine mission. In addition, it flew aerial mapping missions over Western Canada and the Alaska Territory, mapping uncharted territory to support the building of the Alaska Highway.
The squadron deployed to the China-Burma-India theater in December 1943, performing unarmed long-range mapping of remote areas of the Theater over combat areas in support of ground forces and strategic target identification over Indochina and Malay Peninsula for follow-up raids by XX Bomber Command operating from India.
The 3d returned to the United States in early 1944 and re-equipped with very long range Boeing B-29 Superfortresses converted to F-13A reconnaissance configuration. While the squadron was training, XXI Bomber Command identified the need to include a flight of ferret aircraft in the squadron. These aircraft would assist the strategic bombing campaign against Japan by identifying electronic threats and assisting with jamming efforts. No B-29 ferrets had been developed, so the first of these aircraft was a B-24J, which deployed to the Pacific in February 1945.
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Wikipedia