100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its Major Command controlled (MAJCON) wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activate Air Force controlled (AFCON) units, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history. On 11 February 1966, the 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing assumed the mission, equipment and personnel of the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. On 11 February 1966. The 349th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. (SRS) took over the Lockheed U-2. Aircraft of the 4028th SRS and the 350th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. Took over the Ryan BQM-34 Firebee. Reconnaissance drones of the 4025th SRS. The 4080th was a SAC MAJCOM wing, and its lineage terminated when it was discontinued and could not be continued by reactivation at a later date. After its reactivation, the 100th SRW performed strategic reconnaissance with the Lockheed U-2 and drone aircraft. On 11 July 1970 the force was moved from Bien Hoa to U-Tapao RTAFB. Just prior to the move, OL-20 was upgraded to full squadron status and designated the 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. In January 1973, the U-2s of the 99th SRS flew more than 500 combat hours. That was the first time any U-2 unit flew 500 hours in a single month. That was topped in December 1974 when they logged more than 600 hours. The 99th SRS deployed to forward operating locations as needed, earning the P. Cullen Award as the reconnaissance unit that contributed most to the photo and signal intelligence efforts of SAC in 1972. The U-2s were one of the last units to be pulled out of Thailand in March 1976. With the end of United States combat operations in Southeast Asia in mid-1973, the Air Force formally transferred nuclear air sampling operations to the 100th SRW, and the 349th SRS converted its U-2s to the U-2R configuration for atmospheric sampling missions, replacing the WB-57s which it inherited from the 4028th SRS. The air sampling mission would be moved to Osan AB. South Korea, although the deployment of U-2Rs to Osan could not take place until overflight and basing arrangements vere concluded with the governments of Japan. And the Republic of Korea. And hangar facilities made ready at Osan. Not until the Communist Chinese. Had actually exploded their sixteenth nuclear device on 17 June 1974, could Headquarters USAF announce that all negotiations were concluded. At the same time, it directed Headquarters SAC to deploy the 349th SRS “OLYMPIC RACE” assets to Osan and begin collecting from that location on 18 June 1974. The sampling mission continued at Osan, and the U-2s in South Korea became the 100th SRW OL-A. In addition to the Drone and Air Sampling missions, the 100th SRW performed worldwide surveillance mission like the monitoring of the ceasefire between the Israelis and the Egyptians following the 1973 Yom Kippur War. This operation was operated from RAF Akrotiri. Cyprus and was named operation OLIVE HARVEST – Operating Location OL-OH. A detachment also operated from McCoy AFB. Florida until that installation’s closure in 1975, followed by a move to nearby Patrick AFB. Florida, designated Operating Location LF. These U-2s engaged in OLYMPIC FIRE missions over Cuba. Which were coordinated with the Joint Air Reconnaissance Control Center at NAS Key West. The item “Authentic Air Force USAF 349th SRS, Davis-Monthan AFB, U-2 Dragon Lady Patch” is in sale since Friday, June 09, 2017. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\Vietnam (1961-75)\Original Period Items\Patches”. The seller is “zeustinker” and is located in Marietta, Georgia. This item can be shipped worldwide.
