Lineage. Organized as 44 Aero Squadron on 30 Jun 1917. Redesignated as: Squadron K, Wilbur Wright Field, OH, Oct 1918; Squadron P, Wilbur Wright Field, OH, Nov 1918. Demobilized on 30 Apr 1919. Reconstituted and consolidated (1924) with 44 Squadron (Observation), which was authorized on 10 Jun 1922. Organized on 26 Jun 1922. Redesignated as 44 Observation Squadron on 25 Jan 1923. Inactivated on 31 Jul 1927. Activated on 1 Apr 1931. Redesignated as: 44 Reconnaissance Squadron on 1 Sep 1937; 44 Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium Range) on 7 Dec 1939; 44 Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940; 430 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1942; 430 Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 28 Mar 1944. Inactivated on 10 May 1944. Activated on 1 Jun 1944. Inactivated on 15 Apr 1946. Redesignated as 44 Reconnaissance Squadron on 19 Feb 2015. Activated on 1 Apr 2015.
Assignments. Unkn 30 Jun-23 Aug 1917; Flying School Detachment, Wright Field, OH, 24 Aug 1917-30 Apr 1919. Eighth Corps Area, 26 Jun 1922 (attached to Field Artillery School, c. Aug 1922); Air Corps Training Center, Jun-31 Jul 1927; 6 Composite Group, 1 Apr 1931 (attached to 16 Pursuit Group, c. Dec 1932); assigned to 16 Pursuit Group, 1 Sep 1937; 6 Composite Group, 1 Feb 1940 (remained attached to 16 Pursuit Group; 9 Bombardment Group, 20 Nov 1940); assigned to 9 Bombardment Group on 25 Feb 1942-10 Mar 1944. 502 Bombardment Group, 1 Jun 1944-15 Apr 1946. 732 Operations Group, 1 Apr 2015-.
Stations. Camp Kelly, TX, 30 Jun 1917; Wilbur Wright Field, OH, 25 Aug 1917-30 Apr 1919; Post Field, OK, 26 Jun 1922; March Field, CA, 25 Jun-31 Jul 1927; France Field, CZ, 1 Apr 1931; Albrook Field, CZ, 13 May 1932; Howard Field, CZ, 8 Jul-27 Oct 1941; Atkinson Field, British Guiana, 4 Nov 1941; Orlando AAB, FL, 31 Oct 1942; Brooksville AAFld, FL, 6 Jan 1944; Orlando AB, FL, 25 Feb 1944; Dalhart AAFld, TX, 6 Mar-10 May 1944. Davis-Monthan Field, AZ, 1 Jun 1944; Dalhart AAFLD, TX, 5 Jun 1944; Grand Island AAFld, NE, ground echelon arrived on 26 Sep 1944 and air echelon on 23 Nov 1944-7 Apr 1945; Northwest Field, Guam, 12 May 1945-15 Apr 1946. Creech AFB, NV, 1 Apr 2015-.
Aircraft. Apparently included SJ-1, JN-4, and possibly DH-4 during period 1917-1919. Included DH-4 and evidently O-2 during period 1922-1927. In addition to O-19, 1932-1937, and B-10, 1936-1939, included OA-4 during period 1931-1939; B-18, 1938-1942; B-17, 1943-1944; B-24, 1943-1944; B-25, 1943-1944; B-26, 1943-1944; C-73, 1943-1944. B-29, 1944-1946.
Operations. Served as a flying training unit during period 1917-1919. Participated in goodwill flight to Guatemala, 7-12 Feb 1938. Antisubmarine patrols and reconnaissance of Vichy French fleet at Martinique, Dec 1941-Oct 1942. Unmanned, Nov 1942-Mar 1943. Tested aircraft and equipment, Apr 1943-Feb 1944. Combat operations in Western Pacific, c. 1-15 Aug 1945.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Japan, 5-15 Aug 1945.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 22 Jun 2015.
Aircraft, and Operations through 15 Apr 1946.
Supersedes published information in Maurer Maurer (ed.), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (Washington: USGPO, 1969)
Emblem. Approved on 20 Jan 1925. New digital rendition approved on 11 Aug 2015.
Prepared by Carl E. Bailey.
Reviewed by Daniel L. Haulman