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22d Attack Squadron | |
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| Active | 1941–1943; 1965–1988; 1988–1991; 2012–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Unmanned aerial vehicle operation |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Engagements | European Theater of Operations Vietnam War[1] |
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award withCombat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Vietnam First Class Civil Actions Medal With Palm[1] |
| Insignia | |
| 22d Reconnaissance Sq emblem[a][1] |  |
| 22d Tactical Air Support Training Squadron emblem[b] |  |
| 22d Tactical Air Support Squadron emblem(1987)[2] |  |
| Patch with 22d Tactical Air Support Squadron emblem(Early) |  |
| Patch with 46th Bombardment Squadron emblem[c][3] |  |
The22nd Attack Squadron is aUnited States Air Force unit assigned to the432d Wing Air Combat Command atCreech Air Force Base nearIndian Springs, Nevada. It operatesUnmanned aerial vehicles, including theGeneral Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, and provides combat support, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The squadron has been activated on five occasions since its formation inWorld War II, and has seen combat service in both the early years of the war and during theVietnam War.[4] The unit has also undergone multiple reactivations and redesignations throughout its history.
Thesquadron was first activated atMarch Field, California in January 1941 as the46th Bombardment Squadron, one of the three original squadrons of the41st Bombardment Group. The squadron moved toDavis-Monthan Field, Arizona and trained there withDouglas B-18 Bolos. Following theattack on Pearl Harbor, the squadron moved toMuroc Bombing Range and conductedantisubmarine patrols off the Pacific Coast from bases in California until the summer of 1942.[3][5]
The squadron moved to the Atlantic Coast in July 1942 and its air echelon was attached toArmy Air Forces Antisubmarine Command in October and continued its patrols in this area. The squadron formally joined Antisubmarine Command in March 1943, when it became the22d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) equipped with B-24. In June, 1943 the air echelon moved to England, conducting operations over the Bay of Biscay. The ground echelon remained in the United States and was inactivated in October 1943 as US Navy assumed the antisubmarine mission. The squadron assisted in the transition until the air echelon was disbanded in November.[3]
Antisubmarine patrol flights were conducted in the squadron's assigned areas, producing a situation map that was continuously updated with enemy and friendly forces, convoys, and other pertinent information. The antisubmarine patrols also produced an enemy dispersion chart showing the disposition of all known enemy submarines in the entire Atlantic area.[citation needed]
The 22d Tactical Air Support Squadron (Light) was organized atBinh Thuy Air Base,South Vietnam, on 8 May 1965.[6] It provided aircrews in Vietnam to direct air strikes for tactical aircraft operating within the Tactical Air Control System. Visual reconnaissance, convoy escort, and other missions were conducted as directed by the Tactical Air Commander, and aircraft and maintenance were provided in support of these operations withinIV Corps, South Vietnam, as directed bySeventh Air Force. The squadron provided aircraft and personnel in support of the Theater Indoctrination School, and field and transient maintenance support of USAF aircraft at Binh Thuy Air Base. The 22nd operated theCessna O-1 Bird Dog aircraft, 1965–1971; and theCessna O-2 Skymaster aircraft, 1967–1971.[1]
In January 1970, 22nd TASS completed the turn over of all its forward operating locations in IV Corps and handed its mission of supporting theArmy of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) in IV Corps to theRepublic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF). It relocated its headquarters toBien Hoa Air Base inIII Corps.19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, also based at Bien Hoa, transferred to 22nd TASS all the personnel, aircraft and other equipment supporting ARVN forces in III Corps. 19th TASS retained for itself the assets supporting the American ground forces in the region. Within a year, 22nd TASS completed in III Corps the task it had accomplished in IV Corps. It turned over control of all the forward operating locations and the mission of supporting ARVN forces based in III Corps to the RVNAF. On 15 January 1971, the remaining personnel and other resources of the 22d were absorbed by the 19th TASS, and the 22d was unmanned and non-operational until it transferred W/O/P/E toWheeler Air Force Base, Hawaii, on 15 May 1971.[citation needed]
Over the course of the war, the 22d suffered fourkilled in action.[7] Aircraft losses were 13 O-1s and three O-2s.[8]
At Wheeler the 22d, using the Cessna O-2, organized, trained, and equipped assigned personnel to provide the Air Force Component Commander with a joint force, capable of operating and maintaining a tactical air support subsystem for ground forces requiring close air support, tactical air reconnaissance and tactical airlift.
The squadron also provided Direct Air Support Center and Tactical Air Control Party personnel and equipment to support US Army units inHawaii. During 1982, the 22d participated in a number of exercises and prepared plans for conversion to theNorth American OV-10 Bronco. Converted to the OV-10 aircraft, August–October 1983. Supported U.S. Army on the ground with TACPs creating a network which provided the Army with immediate air support and, in the air, with OV-10 forward air control support. Participated in numerous exercises with US and allied army ground units throughout theFar East.[citation needed]
It was inactivated on 22 September 1988. It was then redesignated 22d Tactical Air Support Training Squadron on 1 October 1988 and reactivated on 14 October 1988. Its inactivation was on 30 September 1991.[4]
In September 2025, Capt. Carol Stephens, an MQ-9 Reaper pilot with the 22nd Attack Squadron, received the Safety Officer Award Recognition from the Rotary Clubs ofSouthern Nevada for combat mission performance and community service.[9]
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
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