348th Reconnaissance Squadron
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The 348th Reconnaissance Squadron is an active United States Air Force squadron, assigned to the 319th Operations Group. It was activated at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota on 19 September 2011. It currently operates the RQ-4 Global Hawk, High Altitude Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Remotely Piloted Aircraft.
348th Reconnaissance Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 1942–1945; 1947–1949; 1953–1974, 2011–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Reconnaissance |
Part of | Air Combat Command |
Garrison/HQ | Grand Forks Air Force Base |
Motto(s) | Northern Hawks (from 2012)[1] |
Engagements | European Theater of Operations Mediterranean Theater of Operations |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
Insignia | |
348th Reconnaissance Squadron emblem[lower-alpha 1][1][2] | |
348th Bombardment Squadron emblem[lower-alpha 2][3] |
The squadron was first activated as the 346th Bombardment Squadron in 1942. After training in the United States, it moved to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where it earned two Distinguished Unit Citations in operations against the Axis Powers. After V-E Day, the squadron remained in Italy until November 1945, when it was inactivated. The squadron was activated in the reserves from 1947 to 1949, but does not appear to have been fully manned or equipped.
In 1953, the squadron was activated as the 346th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron as part of Strategic Air Command. It returned to the bombardment mission two years later, and served in this role until inactivating in 1974. Although the squadron remained in the United States except for one deployment in the 1950s, during the Vietnam War it deployed its aircrews and Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses to Southeast Asia. For extended periods, all squadron personnel and equipment were deployed.