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4080th STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE WING History |
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| .The Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards |
| The 4080th Strategic
Reconnaissance Wing distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious
service from
1st August 1957 to 1st September 1959. During this period, the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing completed a series of extremely hazardous operations to determine the atmospheric distribution of particulate and gaseous material from the detonation of nuclear weapons which resulted in the collection of important data fro scientific research. In addition, the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing implemented a series of Flying Safety policies and procedures which reduced the accident rate to an unprecedented aero while accumulating more than 12,000 hours of Strategic Reconnaissance operations on a global scale. The initiative , resourcefulness and selfless devotion to duty displayed by members of the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing reflect great credit upon themselves and of the United States Air Force. |
| The 4080th Strategic Wing and component Units shown are awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious achievement or service in support of military operations |
| 2nd September 1959 - 24th November 1962 |
| HQ 4080th SW, 4028th SRWS, 4080th FMS, 4080th OMS, 4080th A&EMS,4080th CDS |
| The 4080th Strategic Wing SAC is awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for exceptionally meritorious achievement or service in support of military operations |
| 11th February 1964 - 30th April 1965 |
| 4028th SRWS, 4080th FMS, 4080th OMS & 4080th A&EMS. |
| The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is awarded to the 4080th Strategic Wing (SAC) for exceptionally meritorious service in support of military operations against an opposing armed force from |
| 1st May 1965- 25th June 1966 |
| 4080th A&EMS, 4080th FMS,
4080th OMS, 4025th RS, 4028th SRWS, 803rd MG, 803rd CS, Det 2 , 9th WS(
MAC).
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The 4080th SRW (Light) began on 1st April 1956 at Turner AFB. Georgia
It was activated simultaneously with the deactivation of the 508th
Strategic Fighter Wing. Personnel from the 31st and 508th Strategic Fighter
Squadrons being deactivated and combined with the 4025th SRS
which arrived from Lockbourne AFB Ohio. The new 4080th SRW (Light)
was comprised of 3 units ,4025th SRS (Light), 4028th SRS
and the
4029th SRS* (Light) although this unit was never assigned aircraft or
personnel. The support units were the 4080th PMS, 4080th FMS,
Headquarters Squadron Section and the 4080th A&ES.
* Never assigned personnel or aircraft.- Later reactivated (Aug 1981) as the 4029th S.R.T.S. to train U-2 pilots The 4080th SRW then moved to Laughlin AFB on the 1st April 1957 and was designated the 4080th Strategic Wing on 15th June 1960 By June of this year the 4028th and the 4029th were re-designated Strategic Reconnaissance Weather Squadron ( SRWS) and delivery of the Lockheed U-2 aircraft started in June 1957 to the 4028th SRS. At this time all other U-2 flying was at this time was being performed by the C.I.A and the 4080th SRW became the first USAF unit to fly the U-2.
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| In 1957 both the 4025th and the 4028th were involved with the High Altitude Sampling Program ( HASP) that was designed to sample the radioactive debris in the upper atmosphere following the detonation of Russian, Chinese and French Nuclear weapons. Unofficially this program was called "Crowflight", and missions were initially flown from Ramey AFB Puerto Rico (Det 3),and Plattsburgh AFM New York State (Det 4) . | |
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Det 3 Ramey AFB Puerto Rico
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| Later missions were flown from other Operating Locations (OL's) world wide from Alaska, Argentina, Panama, Guam, Australia, North Dakota, Texas and Hawaii. Some of these missions were also dual purpose in that surveillance mission were also incorporated into the mission profile. An example being Crowflight and Green Hornet (see patch lower down page- Patch seen on page 74 of the 4080th/100th SRW 20Year History Book ) | |
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Operating Location OL-5 (U-2)
Eielson AFB Alaska.
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"El LOCO DUO" CROWFLIGHT /GREEN HORNET MISSION PATCH I HAVE IT
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Laughlin AFB Texas. Det 10
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| The U-2 aircraft being used in these Crowflight missions were WU-2A's which carried some of the sampling equipment in the aircraft nose. This resulted in the nose being flat at the tip to accommodate the sampling device. Further sampling inlets were carried on the port side just in front of the Nose wheel well. Filter membranes were placed inside these units and after flying though the radioactive clouds the membranes were sent for analysis. From this test the strength and make up of the Nuclear device could be determined. Aircraft flew in a Straight line , North to South and then reversed course , hence the mission name of Crowflight ( as the crow fly's). Crowflight missions continued until February 1965 with the ending of the final deployment to RAF Avalon in Australia.. | |
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Operating Location OL-11 RAAF Laverton
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| UNITS |
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4080th SRW 1st April 1956.
Turner AFB GA.
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| Periodic Maintenance Squadron, |
| Field Maintenance Squadron, |
| Headquarters Squadron Section, |
| Armament & Electronics Squadron. |
| 4025th SRS (L), 4028th SRS, 4029th SRS |
| 4080th SW 1st April 1957. Laughlin AFB TX |
| Periodic Maintenance Squadron , |
| Field Maintenance Squadron, |
| Headquarters Squadron Section, |
| Armament & Electronic Squadron, |
| 4025th SRS 4028th SRS |
| 4080th SRW History Continued - Off to War |
| THE COMMANDERS | |
| Col Gerald W . Johnson | Col Julius H .Baughn |
| 1 May 1956 - 1 Apr 1957 | 10 Jun 1965 - 12 Feb 1966 |
| Col Hubert Zemke | Col William D. Kyle Jr |
| 1 Apr 1957 - 12 Nov 1957 | 12 Feb 1966 - 15 Aug 1966 |
| Brig Gen Austin J . Russell | Col Marion C. Mixon |
| 12 Nov 1957 - 17 Dec 1958 | 15 Aug 1966 - 1 Aug 1970 |
| Col Andrew J . Bratton | Col Raymond L. Haupt |
| 17 Dec 1958 - 28 July 1960 | 1 Aug 1970 - 29 June 1972 |
| Col William W .Wilcox | Col Donald S. White |
| 28 July 1960 - 3 July 1961 | 29 June 1972 - 7 May 1974 |
| Col John A. Des Portes | Col Charles B. Stratton |
| 3 July 1961 - 10 Jun 1965 | 7 May 1974- |
