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III Reconnaissance Command
A Lockheed F-5 Lightning as used by photographic reconnaissance units training under III Reconnaissance Commband
Active	1941-1946
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army  United States Air Force
Role	Command of air support and reconnaissance training units
Commanders
Notable commanders	William E. Kepner
Insignia
III Reconnaissance Command Distinctive Unit Insigne

The III Reconnaissance Command is a disbanded United States Army Air Forces unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, where it was inactivated on 8 April 1946. After transferring to the United States Air Force in September 1947, it was disbanded in October 1948.

The command was organized in September 1941 as the 1st Air Support Command, an element of 1st Air Force to control light bombardment and observation units in its area of responsibility. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the command's units conducted antisubmarine warfare patrols off the Atlantic Coast. In August 1942, it transferred to 3rd Air Force, which had the responsibility to train air support units for the Army Air Forces (AAF) and assumed the mission of training units and aircrews for overseas deployment. In 1943, it became the I Tactical Air Division (later III Tactical Air Division) under III Tactical Air Command. In the final months of the war, it specialized in training reconnaissance units.

History

Initial organization under 1st Air Force

General Headquarters Air Force (GHQ AF) reorganized its four regional air districts as Numbered Air Forces in the spring of 1941. By the fall of that year, each of these had organized as a support command and three combat commands.

In the summer of 1941 GHQ AF had decided to establish commands to direct its air support mission in each numbered air force, plus one additional command reporting directly to GHQ AF. These commands would be manned from inactivating wings, and would initially control only observation squadrons, which would be transferred from the control of the corps and divisions, although they would remain attached to these ground units. 1st Air Force organized 1st Air Support Command at Mitchel Field, New York in September 1941, drawing its personnel and equipment from the 7th Pursuit Wing, which was simultaneously inactivated.

New observation groups were formed, with a cadre drawn from National Guard squadrons that had been mobilized in 1940 and 1941. During the Carolina Maneuvers of 1941, the command was attached to First Army. Unlike the opposing force, the command posts of the air and ground elements were located together, and the commander of the air support command doubled as the air staff officer of the ground force commander. The opposing force command posts were separated by sixty miles, which enabled greater freedom of action and use of airpower more aggressively.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor the command came under the control of the Eastern Theater of Operations and flew antisubmarine patrols off the east coast. However, by early 1942, the command's first commander William E. Kepner, like two of the other commanders of air support commands had moved overseas, and similar demands led GHQ AF to believe it had little more than the "remnants" of the command remaining. However, in May, the Army Air Forces (AAF) reaffirmed that each of the continental numbered air forces would have an air support command and the command's manning was brought back up. Although most of the command's observation units were withdrawn from antisubmarine operations in June 1942, the command continued limited antisubmarine patrols until 15 October 1942, when Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command took over the mission.

Transfer to 3rd Air Force

The AAF determined that its continental air forces would specialize in their training operations and that all their air support commands would be reassigned to Third Air Force. In August 1942, the command was one of the first reassigned to Third Air Force. This was followed by a move to Morris Field, North Carolina, a base in the Third Air Force area in November 1942.

In October 1942, AAF directed that half of the observation groups assigned to the command were to be reduced to 50% strength or less with their personnel used to form new tow target squadrons, or transferred to heavy bomber Operational Training Unit (OTU)s or Replacement Training Unit (RTU)s. The command continued to train light bomber crews.

In August 1943, the command was redesignated the I Tactical Air Division with the intent that the command would engage in combined training with army ground forces. This included participation in maneuvers. The command became the III Tactical Air Division in the spring of 1944. In May 1944, the command began to specialize in training reconnaissance aircrews and organizations. In June 1945, this mission change was recognized by a change in name to III Reconnaissance Command.

After the end of the war, the command moved to Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota in November 1945, and was inactivated there in April 1946.

Lineage

• Constituted as the 1st Air Support Command on 21 August 1941

Activated on 4 September 1941

Redesignated 1st Ground Air Support Command c. 30 April 1942

Redesignated I Air Support Command c. 18 September 1942

Redesignated I Tactical Air Division on 28 August 1943

Redesignated III Tactical Air Division c. 15 April 1944

Redesignated III Reconnaissance Command c. 1 June 1945

Inactivated on 9 April 1946

Disbanded on 8 October 1948

Assignments

• 1st Air Force, 4 September 1941
• 3rd Air Force (later Third Air Force), 17 August 1942
• III Tactical Air Command, c. 15 April 1944
• Third Air Force, c. 1 June 1945 – 9 April 1946

Components

Groups

• 26th Observation Group: 1 September 1941 – 17 August 1942
• 45th Bombardment Group: 21 August 1941 – 5 January 1942
• 46th Bombardment Group: 10 November 1942 – 25 January 1943
• 48th Fighter-Bomber Group: attached 10 September 1943 – 14 January 1944
• 59th Observation Group: 1 September 1941 – 21 August 1942
• 69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 18 April 1944 – 27 March 1945
• 411th Bombardment Group: c. 15 August 1943 – 1 May 1944

Squadrons

• 1st Air Support Communications Squadron, attached, c. 8 September 1943; assigned 3 November 1943 – 31 March 1944
• 2d Balloon Squadron: 1 September 1941 – 3 February 1942 (thereafter disbanded)
• 3d Observation Squadron: 1 September 1941 – 12 March 1942 (attached to the Coast Artillery School)
• 5th Communications Squadron, Air Support (later 5th Air Support Communications Squadron): 15 May 1942 – c. 13 June 1943
• 6th Reconnaissance Squadron: 18 April – 1 October 1944
• 7th Reconnaissance Squadron: 8 November 1943 – 1 October 1944
• 9th Communications Squadron, Air Support (later 9th Air Support Communications Squadron): 21 August 1942 – c. 21 November 1943
• 14th Air Support Communications Squadron (later 14th Tactical Air Communications Squadron): 3 March 1943 – 18 April 1944
• 14th Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – 4 April 1944
• 14th Tow Target Squadron: 17 December 1942 – 4 November 1943
• 18th Air Support Communications Squadron, 3 November 1943 – c. 12 February 1944
• 19th Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – c. 15 April 1944
• 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 29 March – c. November 1944
• 37th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 12 April – 15 November 1944
• 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 12 April 1944 – 6 January 1945
• 40th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 18 April – 3 June 1944
• 41st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 24 June – 1 October 1944; 4 December 1944 – 18 April 1945
• 57th Reconnaissance Squadron: 21 July 1945 – 25 January 1946
• 58th Reconnaissance Squadron: 21 July 1945 – 31 March 1946
• 72d Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – c. 14 June 1944
• 103d Reconnaissance Squadron: 18 April 1944 – 3 June 1944
• 119th Observation Squadron: 1 September 1941 – 29 March 1942 (attached to 59th Observation Group)
• 115th Liaison Squadron: 18 April – 29 October 1944
• 121st Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – c. 20 March 1944
• 127th Liaison Squadron: 11 August 1943 – 31 April 1944
• 158th Liaison Squadron: 1 March – 1 October 1944
• 162nd Liaison Squadron: 15 May – 24 June 1944
• 163rd Liaison Squadron: 15 May 44 – 20 January 1945

Base Units

• 321st AAF Base Unit (Headquarters, III Tactical Air Division ): 1 May 1944 – c. 1 November 1945
• 322nd AAF Base Unit (56th Bombardment Operational Training Wing, Light): 1 May 1944 – c. 1 November 1945
• 333rd AAF Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Light, Bombardment ): 1 May 1944 – 31 January 1945http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/175/854.xml
• 334th AAF Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Light, Bombardment ): 1 May – 1 October 1944
• 347th AAF Base Unit (Combat Crew Training Station, Tactical Reconnaissance): c. 1 June 1945 – c. 28 March 1946
• 348th AAF Base Unit (Combat Crew Training Station, Photographic Reconnaissance): c. 1 June 1945 – 29 December 1944
• 349th AAF Base Unit (Combat Crew Training Station, Liaison): c. 1 June 1945 – c. 7 November 1945
• 353rd AAF Base Unit (Maneuver Station): 1 May 1944 – c. 31 January 1946
• 379th AAF Base Unit (Combat Crew Training Station, Tactical Reconnaissance): c. 1 June 1945 – 1945

Stations

• Mitchel Field, New York, 4 September 1941
• Morris Field, North Carolina, c. 10 November 1942
• Key Field, Mississippi, c. 3 April 1944
• Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, November 1945 – 9 April 1946

Campaign

Campaign Streamer	Campaign	Dates	Notes
	Antisubmarine	7 December 1941 – 1 August 1943	1st Air Support Command (later 1st Ground Air Support Command, I Air Support Command)
	American Theater without inscription	1 August 1943 – 2 March 1946	I Air Support Command (later I Tactical Air Division, III Tactical Air Division, III Reconnaissance Command)

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

1. Approved 23 July 1942.
2. The command was transferred to the United States Air Force in inactive status in September 1947. The Air Force disbanded it a year later.

Citations

1. ^ Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 440-441
2. Cate & Williams, p. 152, 155
3. ^ Futrell, p 13
4. Futrell, p. 19
5. ^ Futrell, p. 15
6. Maurer, Combat Units, p. 437
7. ^ Kane, Robert B. (11 June 2009). "Factsheet First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
8. ^ Haulman, Daniel L. (4 April 2019). "Factsheet Third Air Force (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
9. White, p. 80
10. White, p. 87
11. Some details from Futrell, Kane and Haulman.
12. Maurer, Combat Units, p. 441 (year only). However, Haulman indicates assignment to Third Air Force during this period.
13. Robertson, Patsy (27 December 2007). "Factsheet 350 Electronic Systems Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
14. Robertson, Patsy (9 September 2008). "Factsheet 45 Operations Group (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
15. Robertson, Patsy (22 September 2008). "Factsheet 46 Test Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
16. Robertson, Patsy E. (7 July 2017). "Factsheet 48 Operations Group (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
17. Robertson, Patsy E. (21 June 2017). "Factsheet 59 Medical Wing (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
18. Robertson, Patsy (10 July 2017). "Factsheet 69 Reconnaissance Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
19. Bailey, Carl E. (20 May 2019). "Factsheet 1 Air Support Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
20. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 11
21. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 24
22. Dollman, TSG David (15 May 2017). "Factsheet 5 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
23. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 13
24. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 21
25. Dollman, TSG David (27 March 2017). "Factsheet 9 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
26. Robertson, Patsy (27 March 2018). "Factsheet 14 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
27. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 78
28. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 80
29. Dollman, TSG Davis (31 August 2012). "Factsheet 18 Air Support Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
30. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 103
31. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 173
32. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 177
33. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 184
34. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 188
35. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 191
36. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 229
37. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 231
38. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 266
39. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 590
40. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 344
41. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 348
42. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 351
43. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 357
44. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 361-362
45. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 363
46. "Abstract, History, Morris Field, Jul 1944-Jan 1945". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
47. "Abstract, History, Morris Field, Feb-Apr 1945". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
48. "Abstract, History, Florence AAF, Dec 1944". Air Force History Index, Florence AAF, Mar-May 1944. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
49. "Abstract, History Florence AAF, Mav 1944". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
50. "Abstract, History Florence AAF Dec 1928-Dec 1944". Air Force History Index, Florence AAF, Dec 1944. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
51. "Abstract, History Muskogee AAF Oct 1943-May 1945". Air Force History Index, Florence AAF, Dec 1944. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
52. "Abstract, History Esler Field Jan 1946". Air Force History Index, Florence AAF, Dec 1944. Retrieved 21 February 2022.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Cate, James L.; Williams, E. Kathleen (1948). "Prelude to War, Chapter 4, The Air Corps Prepares for War, 1939-41". In Craven, Wesley F.; Cate, James L. (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. I, Plans and Early Operations. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. LCCN 48003657. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Futrell, Robert F. (September 1956). "Command of Observation Aviation: A Study in Control of Tactical Airpower, USAF Historical Study No. 24" (PDF). Research Studies Institute, USAF Historical Division, Air University. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) . Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) . Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• White, Jerry (August 1949). "Combat Crew and Unit Training in the AAF 1939-1945, USAF Historical Study No. 61" (PDF). Air Historical Office, United States Air Force. Retrieved 30 January 2022.

v t e United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force in World War II
Units	Commands II Air Support Command III Air Support Command III Bomber Command III Fighter Command III Reconnaissance Command III Tactical Air Command Divisions III Tactical Air Division Wings 8th Fighter Wing 9th Fighter Wing 40th Bombardment Wing Groups Air Commando 2nd Air Commando 3rd Air Commando Bombardment 3rd Bombardment 12th Bombardment 17th Bombardment 21st Bombardment 29th Bombardment 30th Bombardment Group 38th Bombardment 44th Bombardment 46th Bombardment 47th Bombardment 85th Bombardment 88th Bombardment 90th Bombardment 91st Bombardment 92nd Bombardment 93rd Bombardment 94th Bombardment 95th Bombardment 97th Bombardment 98th Bombardment 99th Bombardment 100th Bombardment 309th Bombardment 310th Bombardment 312th Bombardment 319th Bombardment 320th Bombardment 321st Bombardment 322d Bombardment 323d Bombardment 335th Bombardment 336th Bombardment 340th Bombardment 344th Bombardment 345th Bombardment 386th Bombardment 387th Bombardment 391st Bombardment 394th Bombardment 396th Bombardment 397th Bombardment 409th Bombardment 410th Bombardment 411th Bombardment 416th Bombardment 417th Bombardment 418th Bombardment 451st Bombardment 454th Bombardment 463rd Bombardment 483rd Bombardment 488th Bombardment Fighter 20th Fighter 31st Fighter 49th Fighter 50th Fighter 53rd Fighter 54th Fighter 56th Fighter 59th Fighter 79th Fighter 80th Fighter 81st Fighter 84th Fighter 85th Fighter 311th Fighter 332nd Fighter 337th Fighter 338th Fighter 339th Fighter 361st Fighter 369th Fighter 372nd Fighter 404th Fighter 405th Fighter 408th Fighter 414th Fighter 506th Fighter Fighter-Bomber 27th Fighter-Bomber 48th Fighter-Bomber 86th Fighter-Bomber 406th Fighter-Bomber 407th Fighter-Bomber Reconnaissance 2d Reconnaissance 9th Reconnaissance 10th Reconnaissance 26th Reconnaissance 65th Reconnaissance 67th Reconnaissance 68th Reconnaissance 69th Reconnaissance 70th Reconnaissance 75th Reconnaissance 77th Reconnaissance 423d Reconnaissance 424th Reconnaissance 426th Reconnaissance
United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth

v t e USAAF First Air Force in World War II
Airfields	First Air Force Group Training Stations First Air Force Replacement Training Stations First Air Force Tactical Airfields Freeman Army Airfield Godman Army Airfield Selfridge Field
Units	Commands I Bomber Command I Fighter Command I Ground Air Support Command Wings 25th Antisubmarine 50th Troop Carrier 52d Troop Carrier 53d Troop Carrier 60th Troop Carrier 61st Troop Carrier Boston Fighter New York Fighter Norfolk Fighter Philadelphia Fighter Groups Bombardment 2d Bombardment 13th Bombardment 22d Bombardment 34th Bombardment 43d Bombardment 45th Bombardment 301st Bombardment 302d Bombardment 400th Bombardment 402d Bombardment 455th Bombardment 459th Bombardment 460th Bombardment 471st Bombardment Combat Cargo 1st Combat Cargo 2d Combat Cargo 4th Combat Cargo Fighter 8th Fighter 31st Fighter 33d Fighter 52d Fighter 56th Fighter 57th Fighter 58th Fighter 59th Fighter 79th Fighter 80th Fighter 83d Fighter 87th Fighter 324th Fighter 325th Fighter 326th Fighter 327th Fighter 332d Fighter 348th Fighter 352d Fighter 353d Fighter 355th Fighter 356th Fighter 358th Fighter 359th Fighter 361st Fighter 362d Fighter 365th Fighter 366th Fighter 368th Fighter 370th Fighter 371st Fighter 373d Fighter 402d Fighter 413th Fighter 476th Fighter Reconnaissance 26th Reconnaissance 73d Reconnaissance Troop Carrier 10th Troop Carrier 60th Troop Carrier 61st Troop Carrier 62d Troop Carrier 63d Troop Carrier 89th Troop Carrier 313th Troop Carrier 314th Troop Carrier 315th Troop Carrier 316th Troop Carrier 317th Troop Carrier 349th Troop Carrier 375th Troop Carrier 403d Troop Carrier 433d Troop Carrier 434th Troop Carrier 435th Troop Carrier 436th Troop Carrier 437th Troop Carrier 438th Troop Carrier 439th Troop Carrier 440th Troop Carrier 441st Troop Carrier 442d Troop Carrier Other 1st Search Attack 477th Composite Incidents Freeman Field Mutiny
United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth

• Intermediate combat commands of the United States Army Air Forces
• Reconnaissance units of the United States Army Air Forces
• Military units and formations disestablished in 1948