About this Unit
The 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing was first activated by the United States Air Force in 1953, originally tasked with tactical reconnaissance missions during the Cold War. The wing saw significant action during the Vietnam War, being reactivated at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand in 1966, where it operated RF-4C Phantom II aircraft to gather vital intelligence for U.S. and allied forces. Throughout its deployment, the 432nd conducted thousands of successful reconnaissance sorties over hostile territory, often under heavy enemy fire. The wing was inactivated in 1976, but its legacy of courage and innovation in aerial reconnaissance endures in Air Force history.
Historical Facts
•
Formation and Early Years: The 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW) was activated in 1953 at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, as part of the United States Air Force's post-World War II expansion and modernization.
•
Vietnam War Service: The 432nd TRW is best known for its service during the Vietnam War, where it was based at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, beginning in 1966.
•
Reconnaissance Missions: The wing's primary mission was tactical reconnaissance, collecting intelligence on enemy positions, movements, and activities using aircraft such as the RF-4C Phantom II.
•
Combat Achievements: The 432nd TRW flew tens of thousands of combat sorties over North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, providing critical information for targeting and assessing the results of airstrikes.
•
MiG Killers: Uniquely, the wing's reconnaissance aircraft, though not intended for air-to-air combat, occasionally shot down enemy MiG fighters during the conflict, with RF-4C crews credited with at least one MiG kill.
•
Electronic Warfare: The 432nd also operated EB-66 electronic warfare aircraft, which provided jamming and suppression of enemy radar and communications.
•
Special Operations: The wing conducted covert and classified missions, including photo reconnaissance of high-value targets and search-and-rescue support for downed pilots.
•
Decorations: The 432nd TRW received several Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards and was highly decorated for its achievements during the Vietnam War.
•
Post-Vietnam Roles: After the Vietnam War, the wing continued to support reconnaissance operations in Southeast Asia until its inactivation at Udorn in 1975.
•
Legacy: The heritage and honors of the 432nd TRW were later carried on by the 432nd Wing, which today operates as a remotely piloted aircraft (drone) wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada.
