Lineage. Organized as 2 Aviation School Squadron on 9 May 1917. Redesignated as 15 Aero Squadron on 22 Aug 1917. Demobilized on 18 Sep 1919. Reconstituted, and consolidated (1924) with 15 Squadron (Observation) which was authorized on 30 Aug 1921, organized on 21 Sep 1921, and redesignated as 15 Observation Squadron on 25 Jan 1923. Inactivated on 1 Aug 1927. Activated on 15 May 1928. Redesignated as: 15 Observation Squadron (Medium) on 13 Jan 1942; 15 Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942; 15 Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 2 Apr 1943; 15 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 Aug 1943. Inactivated on 31 Mar 1946. Activated on 3 Dec 1947. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1949. Redesignated as 15 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photo-Jet, on 5 Feb 1951. Activated on 25 Feb 1951. Redesignated as 15 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 8 Oct 1966. Inactivated on 1 Oct 1990. Redesignated as 15 Tactical Intelligence Squadron on 20 Feb 1991. Activated on 15 Mar 1991. Redesignated as 15 Air Intelligence Squadron on 13 Apr 1992. Inactivated on 1 Jun 1994. Redesignated as 15 Reconnaissance Squadron on 31 Jul 1997. Activated on 1 Aug 1997. Redesignated as 15 Attack Squadron on 15 May 2016.
Assignments. Unkn, 1917-1919 (but possibly Aeronautical [later, Air] Division, Signal Corps, 9 May 1917; Training Section, Department of Military Aeronautics, Signal Corps, 24 Apr 1918; Operations Section, Department of Military Aeronautics, Signal Corps, 9 Jul 1918; Training and Operations Group, Air Service, 29 Jan-18 Sep 1919). Sixth Corps Area, 21 Sep 1921; 6 Division, Air Service, 24 Mar 1923 (attached to Sixth Corps Area, 24 Mar 1923-Jun 1927); Sixth Corps Area, Jun-1 Aug 1927. 6 Division, Air Service (later, 6 Division, Aviation), 15 May 1928 (attached to Sixth Corps Area, 15 May 1928-); 14 Observation Group, 8 May 1929 (remained attached to Sixth Corps Area); 12 Observation Group, 1937-Jul 1938 (remained attached to Sixth Corps Area); unkn, Jul 1938 (remained attached to Sixth Corps area to c. 9 Jan 1941; detachment operated at Field Artillery School, 1 Dec 1940-c. 9 Jan 1941); Field Artillery School, c. 9 Jan 1941; III Air Support Command, 1 Sep 1941 (attached to Field Artillery School, 1 Sep 1941-; further attached to 68 Observation Group, 12 Dec 1941-2 Feb 1942); 73 Observation (later, 73 Reconnaissance; 73 Tactical Reconnaissance; 10 Photographic) Group, 12 Mar 1942 (remained attached to Field Artillery School to 1 Apr 1942); Ninth Air Force, 22 Dec 1943 (attached to 67 Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 22 Dec 1943-); IX Fighter Command, 30 Dec 1943 (remained attached to 67 Tactical Reconnaissance Group); 67 Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 4 Jan 1944 (attached to IX [later, XIX] Air Support Command, 4 Jan 1944-c. 16 Mar 1944); 10 Photographic Group, Reconnaissance (later, 10 Reconnaissance Group), 13 Jun 1944 (attached to IX Tactical Air Command, 13-27 Jun 1944; flight attached to 67 Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 3-12 Aug 1944); United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe, 24 Jun 1945; Third Air Force, 3 Aug 1945; First Air Force, 3 Feb 1946; Tactical Air Command, 21-31 Mar 1946. 10 Reconnaissance (later, 10 Tactical Reconnaissance) Group, 3 Dec 1947-1 Apr 1949 (attached to 363 Reconnaissance Group, 22 Aug-3 Nov 1948). 67 Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 25 Feb 1951 (attached to 67 Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Jun-c. 25 Nov 1954 and 1 Jul-1 Oct 1957); 67 Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Oct 1957 (attached to 18 Tactical Fighter Wing, 15 Mar 1960-); 313 Air Division, 25 Apr 1960 (remained attached to 18 Tactical Fighter Wing to 20 Apr 1970); 18 Tactical Fighter Group, 1 May 1978; 18 Tactical Fighter Wing, 11 Feb 1981; 460 Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 1 Oct 1989-1 Oct 1990. 548 Reconnaissance Technical Group, 15 Mar 1991; Pacific Air Forces, 3 Jul 1991; 15 Operations Group, 13 Apr 1992-1 Jun 1994. 57 Operations Group, 1 Aug 1997; 432 Operations Group, 1 May 2007-.
Stations. Hazelhurst Field, NY, 9 May 1917-18 Sep 1919. Chanute Field, IL, 21 Sep 1921; Kelly Field, TX, Jun-1 Aug 1927. Selfridge Field, MI, 15 May 1928 (deployed at Camp McCoy, WI, 24 Sep-28 Oct 1928; Camp Skeel, MI, 28-31 Oct 1928; Fort Sheridan, IL, 8-11 Jun 1930; Bowman Field, KY, 14-27 Jun 1930); Scott Field, IL, c. 28 Jun 1930 (detachment at Post Field, OK, c. 1 Dec 1940-Jan 1941); Post Field, OK, 9 Jan 1941; Ellington Field, TX, 16 Dec 1941 (flight at Post Field, OK, Dec 1941-Apr 1942); Godman Field, KY, 23 Apr 1942; Camp Campbell AAFld, KY, 26 Jun 1942; Key Field, MS, 6 Nov-4 Dec 1943; Aldermaston, England, 22 Dec 1943; Chilbolton, England, 1 Mar 1944; Middle Wallop, England, 16 Mar 1944; Chalgrove, England, 27 Jun 1944; Rennes, France, 10 Aug 1944; Chateaudun, France, 26 Aug 1944; St Dizier, France, 9 Sep 1944; Giraumont, France, 1 Dec 1944; Trier, Germany, 14 Mar 1945; Ober Olm, Germany, 3 Apr 1945; Erfurt, Germany, 16 Apr 1945; Furth, Germany, 24 Apr 1945; Reims, France, 23 Jun-13 Jul 1945; Drew Field, FL, 3 Aug 1945; MacDill Field, FL, 21 Dec 1945; Shaw Field, SC, 3 Feb-31 Mar 1946. Pope Field (later, AFB), NC, 3 Dec 1947-1 Apr 1949 (deployed at Lawson AFB, GA, 22 Aug-Sep 1948; Turner AFB, GA, Sep 1948; Eglin Auxiliary Field No. 3, FL, Oct-3 Nov 1948). Komaki Japan (operated from Taegu AB, South Korea), 25 Feb 1951; Taegu AB, South Korea, 16 Mar 1951; Kimpo AB, South Korea, 23 Aug 1951; Komaki AB, Japan, 2 Mar 1954; Yokota AB, Japan, 25 Aug 1955; Kadena AB, Okinawa (later, Japan), 18 Aug 1956 (deployed at Osan AB, South Korea, 26 Jan-12 Feb 1968; Itazuke AB, Japan, 13 Feb-c. 25 Jul 1968; detachment operated at Osan AB, South Korea, 13 Feb-c. 25 Jul 1968); Taegu AB, South Korea, 1 Oct 1989-1 Oct 1990. Hickam AFB, HI, 15 Mar 1991-1 Jun 1994. Indian Springs (later, Creech AFB), NV, 1 Aug 1997-.
Commanders. Capt John W. Butts, 1917-unkn; Capt C. H. Reynolds, unkn (but c. 1918); 1st Lt William P. Berry, unkn-1919. Unkn, 21 Sep 1921-1924; Capt Ernest Clark, (by Apr 1925)-unkn. Unkn, 15 May 1928-1930; Capt Wolcott P. Hayes, (by Apr 1931)-unkn; Lt Col William E. Karnes, unkn-Mar 1942; Capt Schneider, Mar 1942; Capt James H. Kaden, Nov 1942; Maj Lloyd O. Warren, 7 May 1943; Lt Col George T. Walker, 30 Apr 1944; Maj Lyon L. Davis, 11 Oct 1944-23 Jun 1945; unkn, 24 Jun-c. Sep 1945; none (not manned), c. Sep 1945-31 Mar 1946. Maj James M. Williams, 3 Dec 1947; Capt David F. Thwaites, Dec 1947; Maj James M. Williams, Jan 1948; Lt Col Harrison R. Christy, Jr., 24 Feb 1948; Lt Col Robert T. Simpson, 24 Mar 1948; Capt Robert H. Greene, Jul 1948; Maj James M. Williams, 10 Jul 1948; Capt Francis R. Davison, Sep 1948; Lt Col Edward O. McComas, 23 Sep 1948; Maj James M. Williams, Oct 1948; Lt Col Edward O. McComas, Nov 1948; Maj James M. Williams, 4 Jan 1949; Maj William I. Williams, c. 14 Feb-1 Apr 1949. Maj Jean K. Woodyard, Jr., 25 Feb 1951; Maj Clyde B. East, 2 May 1951; Maj Bruce B. Fish, 22 Aug 1951; Maj Ruffin W. Gray, 1 Nov 1951; Lt Col Jack P. Williams, 16 Apr 1952; Lt Col Houser C. Wilson, 28 Jun 1952; Maj Daniel J. Nelson, c. Feb 1953; Lt Col Ralph F. Newman, Apr 1953-1954; Maj R. E. Morrison, c. 1955; Lt Col Jenkins, (by Jun) 1955; Lt Col William F. Nuding, Jr., 12 Dec 1955-unkn; Maj James M. Jones, Jr., c. Jul 1958-unkn; Lt Col Lawrence P. Smith, (by Jun) 1959; Lt Col Earl A. Butts, Apr 1960-15 Dec 1961; unkn, 16 Dec 1961-1 Jan 1962; Col Arthur G. Durbeck, 2 Jan 1962; Maj Russell F. Crutchlow, c. 26 Apr 1962; Lt Col Alexander P. Butterfield, 12 Aug 1962; Lt Col Robert O. Crabtree, 25 Jul 1964; Maj Martin Weissgarber, Jr., 11 May 1965-unkn; Col Robert O. Crabtree, 29 Mar 1966; Lt Col Russell F. Crutchlow, 1 Dec 1966; Lt Col Paul H. Hodges, 13 Jun 1968; Col Rolland G. Hull, 18 Jun 1970; Lt Col David R. Elby, 15 Jun 1971; Lt Col Theodore L. Albright, 14 Jun 1972; Lt Col Clifton J. Hawkins, c. Jul 1973; Lt Col Richard E. Carr, 8 Jul 1975; Lt Col John W. Linihan, 30 Jun 1977; Lt Col Ralph S. Pickett, 11 May 1979; Lt Col Otto K. Habedank, 20 Jun 1980; Lt Col James R. Young, II, 12 Apr 1982; Lt Col James R. Wick, 3 Jan 1984; Lt Col David G. Evans, 29 May 1985; Lt Col Victor M. Martin, 2 Jul 1987; Lt Col Harry J. Sands, III, 27 Apr 1989-1 Oct 1990. Unkn, 15 Mar 1991-1992; Lt Col Michael D. Stevens, by 13 Apr 1992; Lt Col Roger W. Gaebel, 13 Jul 1992; Maj William H. Cilek, 30 Jun 1993-1 Jun 1994.
Aircraft. Apparently included JN-4, JN-6, and DH-4 during period 1917-1919. In addition to DH-4 and O-2, included JN-4, JN-6, JNS-1, and apparently M-1 during 1921-1927. O-2, 1928-1930; O-19, 1930-c. 1938; O-46, 1936-c. 1939; in addition to O-47, 1939-1942, included O-43, O-49, and O-52 during part of this period; included A-20, P-39, P-40, and P-51, 1942-1943; included Spitfire, L-4, and L-5 during 1943-1944; P-51/F-6, 1944-1945. P-51/F-6, 1947-1948; RF-51, 1947-1949. RF-80, 1951-1956; RF-86, 1951-1956; F-80, 1952-1953; F-86, 1953; RF-84, 1956-1958; RF-101, 1958-1966; RF-4, 1967-1990. None, 1991-1994. RQ/MQ-1, 1997-.
Operations. Evidently flying training unit, 1917-1919. Flood relief missions in southern Illinois, Jan-Feb 1937. Antisubmarine patrols over Gulf of Mexico, Dec 1941-c. Mar 1942. Flew armed reconnaissance missions over Europe, 26 Mar 1944-11 May 1945. Not operationally manned or equipped, c. Sep 1945-Mar 1946. Conducted visual and photographic reconnaissance in Korea, 26 Feb 1951-27 Jul 1953. In response to North Korean seizure of the U.S.S. Pueblo in 1968, flew reconnaissance missions over Korea. During 1970s and 1980s, maintained aerial surveillance capabilities in the Far East. Provided combatant commanders with persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), full-motion video and precision weapons employment, 2001-. Became one of the first Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) squadrons.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe; Air Combat, EAME Theater. Korean War: First UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea, Summer, 1953. Global War on Terrorism: GWOT-E.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations (Korea): 25 Feb-21 Apr 1951; 9 Jul-27 Nov 1951; 1 May-27 Jul 1953. Meritorious Unit Award: 1 Jun 2007-31 May 2009. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Dec 1952-30 Apr 1953; 10 May-27 Aug 1962; 1 Sep 1962-31 Aug 1963; 1 Aug 1964-5 Jun 1965; 6 Jun 1965-31 Dec 1966; 1 Jan 1968-31 Dec 1969; 1 Jan 1974-31 Dec 1975; 1 Jun 1977-31 May 1979; 1 Oct 1979-31 May 1980; 1 Jul 1981-31 May 1983; 1 Jun 1983-31 May 1984; 1 Jun 1984-31 May 1986; 1 Jun 1987-31 May 1989; 1 Oct 1989-[1 Oct] 1990; 13 Apr 1992-30 Jun 1993; 1 Oct 1993-1 Jun 1994; 1 Jun 1998-31 May 2000; 1 Jun 2001-31 May 2003; 1 Jun 2003-31 May 2004; 1 Jun 2004-31 May 2006; 1 Jun 2009-31 May 2010; 1 Jun 2013-31 May 2014. Cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian Army: 6 Jun-[25 Jun] 1944. Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: [25] Feb 1951-31 Mar 1953. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 Apr-30 Nov 1966.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 12 Aug 2016.
Commanders through 1 Jun 1994; Aircraft and Operations through Dec 2011.
Supersedes statement prepared on 23 Jun 2016.
Emblem. Approved on 2 Apr 1924; newest rendition approved on 9 Mar 2017.
Prepared by TSgt David Dollman.