6th Bombardment Squadron
| 6th Reconnaissance Squadron | |
|---|---|
Emblem of the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron
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| Active | 1943–1946; 1955–1962; 1963–1969; 2009 – present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Reconnaissance |
| Garrison/HQ | Holloman Air Force Base |
| Nickname(s) | Hawks |
The 6th Reconnaissance Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, which is currently assigned to the 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
The 6th RS is the USAF's only Formal Training Unit for crews learning to operate the MQ-1 Predator. On 23 October 2009, the 6th was reactivated as the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron at Holloman AFB, and assumed its mission of providing Initial Qualification Training for pilots and sensor operators learning to operate the MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft.
Established in 1943 as one of the initial B-29 Superfortress Very Heavy bombardment squadrons. Trained in Kansas with early model B-29s, with frequent delays in training due to modifications of the aircraft correcting production deficiencies.
Deployed to India in early 1944; several aircraft breaking down en route via South Atlantic Transport route from Florida to Brazil then to Liberia; across central Africa and Arabia, arriving in Karachi, India in March 1944. Arrived at converted B-24 airfield in eastern India in mid-April 1944. Aircraft still undergoing modifications while transporting munitions and fuel to forward airfield in central China; staging first attacks on Japanese Home Islands since the 1942 Doolittle Raid. Lack of logistical support limited number of attacks on Japan from Chinese staging airfields; squadron also attacked strategic enemy targets in Thailand; Indochina and Malay Peninsula.
Reassigned to Mariana Islands when island airfields became available after Battle of Tinian; moved to West Field, Tinian the Central Pacific Area in January 1945 and assigned to XXI Bomber Command, Twentieth Air Force. Its mission was the strategic bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands and the destruction of its war-making capability.
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