Lineage. Constituted as 13 Observation Squadron (Medium) on 5 Feb 1942. Activated on 10 Mar 1942. Redesignated as: 13 Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942; 13 Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 1 Apr 1943; 13 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 Aug 1943; 29 Reconnaissance Squadron (Night Photographic) on 25 Jan 1946. Inactivated on 29 Jul 1946. Redesignated as 29 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Photo-Jet) on 14 Jan 1954. Activated on 18 Mar 1954. Redesignated as 29 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 1 Oct 1966. Inactivated on 24 Jan 1971. Redesignated as 29 Attack Squadron on 20 Oct 2009. Activated on 23 Oct 2009.
Assignments. 74 Observation (later, Reconnaissance, Tactical Reconnaissance) Group, 2 Mar 1942; XIX Tactical Air Command (attached to 69 Reconnaissance Group), 7 Nov 1945; 69 Reconnaissance Group, 25 Jan-29 Jul 1946. 432 Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 18 Mar 1954; 432 Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 8 Feb 1958 (attached to 363 Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 8 Apr-17 May 1959); 363 Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 18 May 1959; 4403 Tactical Training Group (Recon), 1 Jul 1966; 363 Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 20 Jan 1968-24 Jan 1971. 49 Operations Group, 23 Oct 2009-.
Stations. Brooks Field, TX, 2 Mar 1942; Lawson Field, GA, c. 8 Mar 1942; DeRidder AAB, LA, 10 Apr 1942; Esler Field, LA, 13 Dec 1942; Desert Center Airdrome, CA, 28 Dec 1942; Morris Field, NC, 24 Sep 1943; Camp Campbell AAFld, KY, 5 Nov 1943; DeRidder AAB, LA, 19 Apr 1944; Stuttgart AAFld, AR, 7 Feb 1945; Brooks Field, TX, 8 Dec 1945-29 Jul 1946. Shaw AFB, SC, 18 Mar 1954-24 Jan 1971. Holloman AFB, NM, 23 Oct 2009-.
Commanders. None 2-9 Mar 1942; Lt George A. Key, c. 10 Mar 1942; None, 7-17 Apr 1942; Capt Ritchie P. Stimson, 18 Apr 1942; Unknown, 23 Oct 1942; Capt Ritchie P. Stimson, 17 Jun 1943; Capt William I. Williams. c. 24 Sep 1943; Maj Ritchie P. Stimson, c. Nov 1943; Capt William I. Williams, c. Dec 1943; Maj Ritchie P. Stimson, 6 Apr 1944; Capt Glenn E. Davis, 1 Jan 1945; Maj John Aitken Jr., 28 Feb 1945; Capt Charles E. Simpson 25 May 1945; Maj Powell G. Potts, 28 May 1945; Capt Charles E. Simpson, 25 Jun 1945; Capt Maury K. Moore, 26 Jul 1945; Capt Edward F. Kelly III, 6 Aug 1945; Maj John Aitken Jr., 17 Sep 1945; Maj Merritt G. Garner, 20 Dec 1945; Lt Col Robert T. Simpson, 18 Jan 1946; Maj Merritt G. Garner, c. 1 Jul-29 Jul 1946. Capt Lloyd L. Dunlap Jr., 18 Mar 1954; Maj Dean D. Cox, 23 Mar 1954; Maj Donald F. DeCamp, 1 Aug 1954; Lt Col Harold F. Cline, 17 Aug 1954; Maj Cecil T. Bush, 2 Apr 1956; Lt Col Harold F. Cline, c. 5 Oct 1956; Maj Cecil T. Bush, c. Jul 1957; Lt Col Louis Benne, c. 8 Apr 1959; Lt Col Leonard Kaufmann Jr., 1 Mar 1960; Lt Col Arthur G. Durbeck, 2 Feb 1961; Maj Robert D. Ingalls, 13 Dec 1961; Lt Col Joe M. O'Grady, 22 Mar 1962; Lt Col Robert O. Crabtree, 22 Dec 1962; Maj Robert D. Johnson, 10 Jan 1964; Lt Col Raymond A. Lowery, 31 Nov 1964; Lt Col Delbert J. Light, unknown; Maj James B. Murphy, 1 May 1966; Lt Col Richard W. Rauch, 14 Sep 1966; Lt Col Colin J. Walker, 30 Apr 1967; Lt Col Alvar B. Wallin, 14 Jul 1967; Lt Col Thomas D. Alexander, 31 Aug 1969-24 Jan 1971. Lt Col James S. Merchant, 23 Oct 2009-.
Aircraft. In addition to O-52, included L-4 in the period 1942-1943; P-39, 1943-1944; P-40, 1944-1945; P-51/F-6, 1945-1946; B-25, 1946; A-26, 1946. RF-80, 1955; RF-84, 1955-1958; RF-101, 1957-1971. MQ-9, 2009-.
Operations. Upon activation, trained and supplied individual reconnaissance pilot replacements for overseas assignments until inactivation in 1946. Trained and conducted reconnaissance operations to provide visual and photographic information on the location, movement and activities of friendly and enemy forces, flying various types of photo-reconnaissance aircraft, 1954-1971. Redesignated as the 29 Attack Squadron and activated in Oct 2009. Trained officers as pilots and enlisted personnel as sensor operators for flight operations of the MQ-9 Reaper.
Service Streamers. World War II American Theater.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 23 Oct-24 Nov 1962.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 30 Oct 2009.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 30 Oct 2009.
Emblem. Approved on 12 Dec 1956; latest rendition approved, 3 Oct 2016.
Supersedes information found in Maurer Maurer, Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (Washington: USGPO, 1969), pp. 74-75.
Prepared by Robert B. Kane.
Reviewed by Daniel Haulman.