66th Air Base Wing - History

History

For additional lineage and history, see 66th Air Base Group

On 15 November 1952, the 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was established at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, replacing the federalized Air National Guard 118 Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. The wing was activated on 1 January 1953. The 66th TRW commanded the functions of both the support groups as well as the flying 66th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and the squadrons assigned to it. The wing and squadrons trained at Shaw prior to deployment to NATO. The squadrons formed and activated were:

  • 30th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Night Photo) (RB-26)
  • 302d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (Jet Photo) (RF-80A)
  • 303d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (RF-51D, RF-80A)

On 25 June 1953 the 66th TRW departed Shaw, being reassigned to Sembach Air Base West Germany. Just prior to the wing's deployment to NATO, the 303d TRS was reequipped with RF-80As.

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