| 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (ROCAF) | |
|---|---|
 12th TRS emblem | |
| Active | 1932 – present[1] |
| Country |  Taiwan (Republic of China) |
| Allegiance |  Republic of China Air Force |
| Role | Reconnaissance |
| Part of | 401st Tactical Composite Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Hualien Air Force Base[2] |
| Equipment | General Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon Northrop RF-5E Tigergazer Northrop F-5F Tiger II |
The12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (12th TRS) is an active unit of theRepublic of China Air Force. It is part of the 401st Tactical Composite Wing and operates theGeneral Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon,Northrop RF-5E Tigergazer and Northrop F-5F Tiger II fromHualien Air Force Base,Hualien County.
Up until 1998, the 12th TRS were operating theLockheed TF/RF-104G Stargazer andNorthrop F-5E/F Tiger II fromTaoyuan Air Base,Taoyuan.[3] With the forthcoming retirement of the Starfighter, the 12th TRS began to convert to theNorthrop RF-5E Tigergazer, with deliveries first arriving in August 1997.[4] On 22 May 1998, the last two TF-104Gs (4186 and4196) were retired in a ceremony atChing Chuan Kang Air Base,Taichung.[5][6]
On 1 July 1998, the 12th TRS relocated toHualien Air Force Base,Hualien County, and converted to theGeneral Dynamics F-16A/B Fighting Falcon, which replaced the F-5Es. The squadron's RF-5Es were also transferred to the 4th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron during this time.[3] The 12th TRS' F-16As are equipped with Phoenix Eye reconnaissance pods, leading to an unofficial designation of RF-16A.[7]
In May 2011, the 12th TRS began to receive the RF-5E back from the 4th TRS, starting with5503 and5506.[8] On 13 September 2011,5506 and F-5F5401 of the 4th TRS both crashed into a mountain during a night-time sortie, killing all crew.[9][10] The squadron completed its conversion to the RF-5E on 12 June 2013, operating them alongside the F-16.[8]
In October 2019, it was announced by the Minister of National DefenceYen Teh-fa that Taiwan is looking to replace the Phoenix Eye recon pod with the UTC Aerospace Systems MS-110 pod which would be carried by the RF-16 fleet, allowing for the retirement of the RF-5Es.[11]
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