The 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, stationed at Kunsan Air Base, Korea. It was originally formed during World War II to escort bombers as the 431st Fighter Squadron. It was inactivated in 1949, but reactivated as the 431st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron from 1952 to 1964, as the 431st Tactical Fighter Squadron from 1964 to 1970, as the 431st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron from 1976 to 1978, as the 431st Fighter Weapons Squadron from1980, as the 431st Test and Evaluation Squadron from 1981 to 1992, and as the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron in September 2025. The unit's current assignment involves unmanned MQ-9 Reaper drone aircraft.
Major McGuire, commander of the 431st Fighter Squadron, next to his P-38L Pudgy (V) in 1944.
Established by Fifth Air Force in Australia in May 1943 specifically to accommodate very long range Lockheed P-38J Lightnings at Amberley Airfield in Queensland, Australia. The 431st was specifically trained to provide long-range escort for bombers during daylight raids on Japanese airfields and strongholds in the Netherlands East Indies and the Bismarck Archipelago. On 14 August 1943, the 431st transferred from Amberley Airfield to Port Moresby. New Guinea.
Engaged in combat operations, providing escort for North American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers that were engaged in strafing attacks on airdromes at Wewak but also destroyed a number of the enemy fighter planes that attacked the formation. Also intercepted and destroyed many Japanese aircraft which were sent against American shipping in Oro Bay on 15 and 17 October 1943. Covered landings in New Guinea, New Britain, and the Schouten Islands. After moving to Biak in July 1944, the squadron flew escort missions and fighter sweeps to the southern Philippines, Celebes, Halmahera, and Borneo.
Moved to the Philippines in October 1944 and attacked enemy airfields and installations, escorting bombers, and engaging in aerial combat during the first stages of the Allied campaign to recover the Philippines, October–December 1944. The squadron flew many missions to support ground forces on Luzon during the first part of 1945. Also flew escort missions to Southeast China and attacked railways on Formosa. Began moving to Ie Shima near Okinawa in August 1945 but the war ended before the movement was completed.
After active combat ended, on 22 September 1945, the squadron moved to Kimpo Airfield, on 7 January 1946 where it converted to the very long-range North American P-51H Mustang. The squadron was reassigned to Nagoya Airfield, Japan in March 1947 and later moved to Itazuke Airfield, Japan in August 1948. It became a subordinate unit of 475th Fighter Wing on 10 August.
The squadron was inactivated on 1 April 1949 at Ashiya Air Base, Japan.
In February 1966, the squadron began McDonnell F-4D Phantom II replacement pilot training for personnel to be deployed to Southeast Asia. Along with the USAF fighter pilot training, the squadron began training foreign personnel in F-4 operations and maintenance in March 1969. Pilots were trained from Israel, Iran, Japan, and West Germany. Inactivated on 30 October 1970 due to budget reductions.
Reactivated at George Air Force Base in 1975 as part of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. Engaged in F-4E "Wild Weasel" training as a tactical fighter training squadron against Republic F-105G Thunderchiefs. Inactivated due to budget cuts in 1978.
The 431st's mission was to test and evaluate Time Compliance Technical Order modifications to the F-111A/D/E and F models prior to those changes being released to operational F-111 tactical wings in the United States and Europe. In addition was tasked with exploiting foreign technologies, and developing leading-edge tactics to improve the future combat capability of aerospace forces. Squadron remained active until June 1992 when the F-111 was retired at the end of the Cold War.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operations
The squadron was converted to provisional status and redesignated the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissancee Squadron. It was activated at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea in September 2025.[3]
Lineage
Activated on 14 May 1943 by special authority prior to constitution as 431st Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1943
Inactivated on 1 April 1949
Redesignated 431st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 11 September 1952
↑ Approved 19 September 1944. Description: On a grayed dark blue disc, border equally divided red and white, Satan's head affronte, proper, beneath a yellow orange halo and between five yellow orange stars forming the Southern Cross.
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