The 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (17 RS) is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 57th Operations Group, and stationed at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada.
The 17th RS conducts intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operating the flies MQ-1 Predator UAV.
History
Established as a photo-reconnaissance squadron in mid-1942, trained under Second Air Force in Colorado, equipped with very-long range F-5 (P-38 Lightning) reconnaissance aircraft Deployed to the South Pacific Area, assigned to Thirteenth Air Force. Flew hazardous unarmed reconnaissance missions over enemy-held territory in Guadalcanal; New Guinea; Northern Solomon Islands; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Central Burma and southeast China. Inactivated in the Philippines, April 1946.
Reactivated at Shaw AFB, South Carolina in 1951 as a photo-reconnaissance training squadron. Equipped with several reconnaissance aircraft during the 1950s, deploying to NATO in 1959 with the RF-101C Voodoo. Operated from France until 1966, moving to RAF Upper Heyford, England. Remained in England until 1970, moved to West Germany and re-equipped with RF-4C Phantom II aircraft. Remained at Zweibrücken AB until 1979 when inactivated due to budget reductions.
Best Friends McKinney, Unger, Hurley, Ballanger, Klimick, Smith. Ronnie.Brown.
Best Moment First duty assignment after graduating tech school. Learned how to download & upload aerial film magazines. Became an expert on the B-5a film processor with thread spool.
Worst Moment None.
Other Memories I was there for when the squadron transitioned from the RF-84F to the RF-101 Voodoo. I was also assigned to the flyaway kit section. Assigned for a shade over a year. Received orders to Germany & the 497th R.T. S. Wiesbaden.
