HOME PAGE

		4080th STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE WING

THE MISSION OPERATION “BRASS KNOB”
The 4080^th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing’s mission was to conduct strategic reconnaissance operations on a global scale, either independently or in co-operation with other forces, to fulfill requirements for completed reconnaissance reports, target material, and weather data for operational forecasting. On October 9^th of 1962, the 4080^th SRW would receive its’ initial orders to prepare for Operation “Brass Knob”, an intensified aerial surveillance of the island of Cuba. With the authority of the President of The United States, the Strategic Air Command would assume this task from the previous tasking of the Central Intelligence Agency. Initially, one flight was approved from south to north over the western end of Cuba, a mission flown by Major Richard S. Heyser on October 14^th. Then two more flights were authorized and flown by Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr. and Major Heyser on October 15^th. The results of the first mission indicated that total coverage of the island was necessary, and on October 17^th, four pilots from Laughlin launched into a terrible thunderstorm and joined Heyser and Anderson in an effort which covered 95% of Cuba. By early November, over one million feet of film had been exposed. All eleven pilots had been fired upon with only one combat casualty, Major Anderson. The Wing would receive the personal plaudits and awards from the President for its’ efforts!

The 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was celebrated at Star Park on 23rd May 2008. The unit was formerly stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base and was praised for its work throughout its history, but especially for its work during the Cuban Missile Crisis which brought the world on the brink of a possible Nuclear war when Soviet missiles were found in Cuba. These missile's were a major threat to the USA.
				All the people who flew, worked, maintained and supported the U-2 planes and operations were recognized at the ceremony, which unveiled a Texas Historical Marker commemorating their work. The 11 pilots who flew the missions to Cuba from Oct. 14 to 27, 1962 are named on the marker. Four of the remaining pilots were present at the ceremony. Attending were Brigadier General Gerald E. McIlmoyle (USAF retired), Col. Edwin G. Emerling ( USAF retired), Buddy L. Brown, Charles W. Kern. The other 7 pilots who were involved in "Operation Brass Knob" are also listed on the marker and they are, Rudolf Anderson Jr., Richard S. Heyser and James Qualls, George M. Bull, Roger H. Herman, Robert L. Primrose and Daniel W. Schmarr.
"On Time - On Target"
T-38's Flown by Lt J.Grossman / Lt A. Palan & Capt J.T. Egginton / Capt R. Miller of the 87th Flying Training Squadron of the 47th Flying Training Wing from LAUGHLIN AFB performing the over flight at the Star Park Dedication to the pilots involved in "Operation Brass Knob" .



4080^TH STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE WING (L (SAC) 1957
COMMANDER Colonel Hubert Zemke DEPUTY COMMANDER Colonel Nathan J. Adams WING ADJUTANT Major Royle J. Carrington WING SAFETY OFFICER Captain Donald R. James DIRECTOR OF COMPTROLLER Captain Roderick A. Ekert DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL Major Harold E. Van Horn DIRECTOR OF MATERIAL Colonel Avery C. Pinson DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Lieutenant Colonel Howard E. Cody COMMANDER 4080^TH HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON Captain Wilmer W. Collins COMMANDER 4025^TH STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON (L) Colonel Daniel C. Mulloney COMMANDER 4028^TH STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON (L) Colonel Jack D. Nole COMMANDER 4029^TH STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON (L) Lieutenant Colonel Dave C. Hearrell, Jr. COMMANDER 4080^TH ARMAMENT & ELECTRONICS SQUADRON Major Louis O. Senneville COMMANDER 4080^TH PERIODIC MAINTENANCE SQUADRON Captain Asa W. Seagrave COMMANDER 4080^TH FIELD MAINTENANCE SQUADRON Captain Ivan R. Henry COMMANDER 4080^TH AIR BASE GROUP (SAC) Colonel Willard A. Beauchamp BASE ADJUTANT Major Leon W. Steffy BASE CHAPLIN Major James H. Dickinson BASE COMPTROLLER Major Edward A. Nash BASE PERSONNEL Lieutenant Colonel James S. McKown, Jr. BASE INFORMATION SERVICES OFFICER Lieutenant Buck A. Young STAFF OPERATIONS Lieutenant Colonel John L. Bradley COMMANDANT HEADQUARTERS SQUADRON Major Heath H. Wayne COMMANDER BASE OPERATIONS SQUADRON Major William C. Schroeder COMMANDER 4080^TH USAF HOSPITAL Colonel Earl H. Harris COMMANDER 4080^TH AIR POLICE SQUADRON Captain Junior Hendricks COMMANDER 4080^th INSTALLATION SQUADRON Major Joel L. Myers COMMANDER 4080^TH SUPPLY SQUADRON Lieutenant Colonel Joe K. Hinton COMMANDER 4080^TH FOOD SERVICE SQUADRON Major Frank Whitt COMMANDER 4080^TH TRANSPORTATION SQUADRON Captain Emil H Fischer



4025th Strategic Reconnaissance Aircraft

Martin Model	Martin Serial/ Build Sequence		USAF Designation	USAF Serial	Remarks

272C			RB-57C	53-3831
272C			RB-57C	53-3841
272C			RB-57C	53-3842

272D / N	1		RB-57D-1	53-3977		Miss Acuna
272D	2		RB-57D-1	53-3978		PePe La Pew
272D	3		RB-57D-1	53-3979		Cloud Chaser
272D / N	4		RB-57D-1	53-3980		Old Dusty
272D	5		RB-57D-1	53-3981
272D / N	6		RB-57D-1	53-3982		Queen City
272D / P	7		RB-57D-2	53-3970	ARS Capable
272D	8		RB-57D-2	53-3971	ARS Capable
272D / P	9		RB-57D-2	53-3972	ARS Capable
272D	10		RB-57D-2	53-3973	ARS Capable
272D / P	11		RB-57D-2	53-3974	ARS Capable
272D / P	12		RB-57D-2	53-3975	ARS Capable
272D	13		RB-57D-2	53-3976	ARS Capable
272D	14		RB-57D-3	53-3963	ARS Capable	SLAR
272D / N	15		RB-57D-4	53-3964	ARS Capable	ELINT
272D / N	16		RB-57D-4	53-3965	ARS Capable	ELINT
272D / N	17		RB-57D-4	53-3966	ARS Capable	ELINT
272D / N	18		RB-57D-4	53-3967	ARS Capable	ELINT
272D / N	19		RB-57D-4	53-3968	ARS Capable	ELINT
272D / N	20		RB-57D-4	53-3969	ARS Capable	ELINT

NOTES:

272N			EB-57D	9, 272D modified as 272N
272P			RB-57F	4 re-built as 272P

			RB-57D-1	Sometimes referred to as		RB-57D
			RB-57D-2	Sometimes referred to as		RB-57D-0
			RB-57D-3	Sometimes referred to as		RB-57D-1
			RB-57D-4	Sometimes referred to as		RB-57D-2