The4028th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron was a component of the4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing,Strategic Air Command, that operatedLockheed U-2 spy planes out ofLaughlin AFB, Texas, andDavis–Monthan AFB, Arizona,[1] in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The unit is also sometimes referred to as the 4028th Strategic Reconnaissance Weather Squadron. It was from this unit that the pilots involved in overflights ofCuba during theCuban Missile Crisis were drawn.[2] Detachments of the 4028th were deployed toJapan andSouth Vietnam.
The 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was activated atTurner AFB, Georgia, on 1 April 1956. The first mission was to operateRB-57Ds ofProject BLACK KNIGHT, for which purpose the4025th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron was assigned to the wing in May 1956. The second mission was to operate the U-2s ordered bySAC underProject Dragon Lady, and the 4028th was created for this purpose. Prior to receiving the U-2s, the 4080th wing moved toLaughlin AFB, TX during February–April 1957.
"A second U-2 squadron, the 4029th SRS, was assigned in expectation that theCIAProject Aquatone would end, and the aircraft be turned over to SAC. This never happened, and the 4029th SRS was never equipped. The wing moved to Davis–Monthan AFB in 1963.[3]
"The100th SRW was created at Davis–Monthan AFB, Arizona in June 1966 by a renumbering of the 4080th SRW. The U-2 squadron was renumbered from 4028th SRS to the349th SRS. The 100th Wing also controlled the350th SRS which operated theRyan RPVs and the associatedDC-130 launch andCH-3 recovery aircraft."[4]