622d Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron

Last updated

622d Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron
F-100c-322fdw.jpg
A squadron Boeing KB-50D Superfortress carrying out the first triple-point refueling operation [note 1]
Active1942-1945; 1947-1949; 1955-1964; 2000–2004
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
Role Air Refueling
Engagements European Theater of Operations
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
French Croix de Guerre with Palm
Insignia
622d Air Refueling Squadron emblem (approved 15 June 1956) 622d Air Refueling Squadron - Emblem.png
22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron emblem [1] 22nd Reconnaissance Squadron.jpg

The 622d Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit, assigned to United States Air Forces Europe to activate or inactivate as needed. The squadron was first established during World War II as the 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. It served in the European Theater of Operations, where it earned a Distinguished Unit Citation and a French Croix de Guerre with Palm for its actions in combat.

Contents

The unit was again active in the reserve as the 22d Reconnaissance Squadron from 1947 to 1949 but apparently was not equipped with its own aircraft. In 1985 the squadron was consolidated with the 622d Air Refueling Squadron.

The 622d Air Refueling Squadron served with Tactical Air Command at England Air Force Base, Louisiana from July 1955 until April 1964, refueling tactical fighers and other tactical aircraft. It was converted to provisional status in 2000 and operated from Istres le Tube Airfield.

History

World War II

F-5C Lightning 'Dot And Dash' after landing on a shuttle flight to Russia in 1944 P-38 Dot dash.jpg
F-5C Lightning 'Dot And Dash' after landing on a shuttle flight to Russia in 1944

The first predecessor of the squadron was activated at Peterson Field, Colorado in September 1942 as the 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, a component of the 5th Photographic Group. [2] The outfit existed essentially on paper until 21 December 1943 when 12 officers and 129 enlisted men were transferred from the 10th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron.[ citation needed ] After training, the unit left Colorado Springs on 17 May 1943 and traveled to England aboard the RMS Queen Mary.[ citation needed ] There it served as a photographic reconnaissance unit until the end of the war. [2]

The squadron arrived at the RAF Mount Farm airfield on 8 June 1943. The unit was equipped with Lockheed F-5 Lightning photographic aircraft and its first mission was flown on 24 June 1943. The 22d Photographic Squadron, along with the 13th and 14th Photographic Squadrons into the on 7 July 1943, when the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group transferred to England on paper. [3] In 1943, the 22d was among the squadrons flying the first photo reconnaissance missions against Peenemünde.

It received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its coverage of bridges, marshalling yards, canals, highways, and other targets that contributed to the success of the Normandy Campaign. [3] It provided reconnaissance support for the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhine crossings. Its work was also recognized by the French, who awarded the unit the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. [2]

Air Force Reserve

The squadron was redesignated as the 22d Reconnaissance Squadron in 1947 and activated the reserve. It apparently was not fully equipped and was inactivated in the summer of 1949 when Continental Air Command adopted the wing base organization for its reserve units. [2]

Tactical Air Command

The 622d Air Refueling Squadron was established at Alexandria Air Force Base, Louisiana in 1955 to provide dedicated air refueling, initially for North American F-100 Super Sabres and later for other in-flight refueling capable Tactical Air Command fighters, fighter bombers, and reconnaissance aircraft. The squadron was initially equipped with transferred Strategic Air Command Boeing KB-29M Superfortresses that were converted to aerial tankers using a British-developed probe and drogue refueling system.

The squadron re-equipped with Boeing KB-50 Superfortress tankers in 1957 which provided greater speed to refuel jet aircraft. KB-50s were modified about 1960 to the KB-50J configuration, which added a General Electric J47 turbojet engine underneath each wing in place of the auxiliary fuel tanks in order to increase the speed of the aircraft while conducting air refueling operations.

By 1963 aircraft were phased out due to age. SAC, with KC-97s and KC-135s became the Air Force's single manager for air refueling. The squadron inactivated in early 1964 when KB-50Js sent to Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.

Recent operations

A squadron KC-135E refuels a F-16C Fighting Falcon over the Adriatic. The tanker was deployed from the 940th Air Refueling Wing and the receiver was assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron. KC135 refueling.jpg
A squadron KC-135E refuels a F-16C Fighting Falcon over the Adriatic. The tanker was deployed from the 940th Air Refueling Wing and the receiver was assigned to the 555th Fighter Squadron.

The consolidated squadron was converted to provisional status and redesignated the 622d Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. It operated from Istres le Tube in France from 2000 to 2004, providing air refueling to aircraft supporting the NATO Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Operation Joint Forge.

Lineage

22d Reconnaissance Squadron
Activated on 2 September 1942
Redesignated 22d Photographic Squadron on 6 February 1943
Redesignated 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 13 November 1943
Inactivated on 16 December 1945
Redesignated 22d Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic on 11 March 1947
Inactivated on 27 June 1949 [2]
Consolidated with the 622d Air Refueling Squadron as the 622d Air Refueling Squadron on 19 September 1985 (remained inactive) [4]

622d Air Refueling Squadron

Activated on 18 July 1955
Redesignated 622d Air Refueling Squadron, Tactical on 1 July 1958
Inactivated on 1 April 1964
Activated on 24 July 2000
Inactivated on 22 December 2004 [5]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

Awards and campaigns

Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
Streamer PUC Army.PNG Distinguished Unit Citation 31 May 1944 - 30 June 1944France 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron [2]
Streamer FCDG WWII.png French Croix de Guerre with Palm 194422d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron [2]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 2000-30 September 2002622d Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron [9]
Campaign StreamerCampaignDatesNotes
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Air Offensive, Europe8 June 1943 – 5 June 194422d Photographic Squadron (later 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron) [2]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Air Combat, EAME Theater8 June 1943 – 11 May 194522d Photographic Squadron (later 22d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron) [2]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Normandy6 June 1944 – 24 July 194422d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron [2]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Northern France25 July 1944 – 14 September 194422d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron [2]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Rhineland15 September 1944 – 21 March 194522d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron [2]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Ardennes-Alsace16 December 1944 – 25 January 194522d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron [2]
Streamer EAMEC.PNG Central Europe22 March 1944 – 21 May 194522d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron [2]

Related Research Articles

The 458th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe to activate or inactivate as needed. The most recent known activation of the unit was at Ramstein Air Base, Germany in 2011.

500th Air Expeditionary Group Military unit

The 500th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit. Its last known assignment was at Christchurch, New Zealand, where it was activated for the summer 2005–2006 season.

26th Information Operations Wing Military unit

The 26th Information Operations Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with United States Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where it was inactivated on 5 July 2006.

9th Air Refueling Squadron Unit of the US Air Force, part of the 60th Operations Group

The 9th Air Refueling Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California, where it operates the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender as part of the 60th Operations Group.

126th Air Refueling Squadron Military unit

The 126th Air Refueling Squadron is a unit of the 128th Air Refueling Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard stationed at General Mitchell Air National Guard Base, Wisconsin. The 126th is equipped with the KC-135R Stratotanker.

19th Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron Military unit

The 19th Electronic Warfare Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, stationed in Bann, Germany as part of the United States Air Forces in Europe Warrior Preparation Center. It was first activated during World War II as the 19th Photographic Mapping Squadron. During the war, the squadron remained in the United States and mapped areas of North America. However, starting in 1944, the air echelon of the squadron deployed to North Africa to map that area. After V-E Day, the squadron moved to England and mapped large areas of Europe until October 1945, when it began to stand down for inactivation. It was briefly active in the reserve from 1947 to 1949 as the 19th Reconnaissance Squadron.

55th Air Refueling Squadron Military unit

The 55th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It formerly operated both the combat crew training school and central flight instructor course for Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

91st Air Refueling Squadron Military unit

The 91st Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. It operates the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft conducting air refueling missions.

909th Air Refueling Squadron US Air Force KC-135 squadron

The 909th Air Refueling Squadron is part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It operates the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft conducting air refueling missions.

921st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron United States Air Force unit

The 921st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit. Its last known active period ended on 12 November 2011 at Moron Air Base, Spain.

43rd Electronic Combat Squadron Military unit

The 43d Electronic Combat Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. Its current assignment is with the 55th Electronic Combat Group, being stationed as a tenant unit at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona as a geographically separated unit from its parent, the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It operates the Lockheed EC-130H Compass Call communications-jamming aircraft.

98th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron Military unit

The 98th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 92d Operations Group at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, where it was inactivated on 1 July 1998.

407th Air Refueling Squadron Military unit

The 407th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 42nd Bombardment Wing at Loring Air Force Base, Maine, where it was inactivated on 1 October 1990.

904th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron Military unit

The 904th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing at Mather Air Force Base, California, where it was inactivated on 30 September 1986.

421st Air Refueling Squadron Military unit

The 421st Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 41st Air Division at Yokota Air Base, Japan, where it was inactivated on 18 February 1965.

908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron Military unit

The 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force (USAF) unit. It is assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Operations Group at Al Dhafra Air Base in United Arab Emirates. It has supported combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria from this location. The squadron has a varied background, having been formed by a series of consolidations of no fewer than five distinct units.

62nd Expeditionary Attack Squadron Military unit

The 62d Expeditionary Attack Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force unit. It is a provisional squadron of Air Combat Command, attached to the 432d Air Expeditionary Operations Group, stationed at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. The primary mission of the 62d EATKS is to launch and recover all the Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft in Afghanistan.

32nd Air Expeditionary Group Military unit

The 32d Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional unit of the United States Air Force (USAF). It is assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) to activate or inactivate at any time. It was last active as the 32d Air And Space Operations Center in December 2006 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

910th Air Refueling Squadron Military unit

The 910th Air Refueling Squadron is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force. In 1985, it was consolidated with the 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and the 310th Attack Squadron, but has not been active since consolidation.

928th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron Military unit

The 928th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron is a provisional unit of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to Air Mobility Command to activate or inactivate as needed for contingency operations.

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
  1. ↑ The receiver aircraft are North American F-100C Super Sabres of the 451st Fighter-Day Squadron. Taken in 1956.
  2. ↑ This aircraft was shot down 6 October 1944 over IJsselmeer, Netherlands, while assigned to the 22d. "Missing Air Crew Reports". Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General Record Group 92. 6 October 1944. Retrieved 8 January 2012. F5 42-67128
Citations
  1. ↑ Watkins, pp. 106-109
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 117
  3. 1 2 Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 45–46
  4. 1 2 Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 Sep 85, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "622 Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron" (PDF). Air Force Lineage and Honors. 23 May 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 Assignments, Stations and Aircraft through 1949 in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 117
  7. 1 2 3 Ravenstein, pp. 194-195
  8. ↑ Mueller, p. 168
  9. ↑ "Air Force Personnel Services: Unit Awards". Air Force Personnel Center. Retrieved 3 January 2021. (search)

Bibliography

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates  public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/ .

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.