III Reconnaissance Command

III Reconnaissance Command
Active	1941-1946
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Force
Type	Command and Control
Part of	Third Air Force
Engagements	World War II

The III Reconnaissance Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota. It was inactivated on 8 April 1946.

History

Lineage

• Constituted as: I Air Support Command on 21 Aug 1941

Activated on 4 Sep 1941

Redesignated as: I Ground Air Support Command in Apr 1942

Redesignated as: I Air Support Command in Sep 1942

Redesignated as: I Tactical Air Division in Aug 1943

Redesignated as: III Tactical Air Division in Apr 1944

Redesignated as: III Reconnaissance Command in Jun 1945

Inactivated on 9 Apr 1946

Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948.

Assignments

• First Air Force, 4 Sep 1941-Apr 1944
• Third Air Force, Apr 1944-9 Apr 1946

Components

• Various observation and light bombardment organizations

Stations

• Mitchel Field, New York, 1 Sep 1941
• Morris Field, North Carolina, Nov 1942
• Key Field, Mississippi, c. 3 Apr 1944
• Rapid City AAB, South Dakota, Nov 1945-9 Apr 1946.

Operations

Flew antisubmarine patrols off the east coast, 7 Dec 1941-15 Oct 1942. Trained light bombardment crews, participated in air-ground maneuvers, and demonstrated air support techniques, Sep 1941-May 1944. Trained reconnaissance personnel and organizations, May 1944-1946.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.