About this Unit
The 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (9th SRW) was activated on November 25, 1965, at Beale Air Force Base, California, as part of the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command. Tasked with conducting high-altitude reconnaissance, the unit became renowned for operating the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft in the world. Throughout the Cold War, the 9th SRW provided crucial intelligence gathering and surveillance capabilities, supporting national security and strategic decision-making. In 1991, the wing was redesignated as the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, continuing its legacy of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions with aircraft such as the U-2 Dragon Lady.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (9th SRW) was activated on November 25, 1948, at Fairfield-Suisun Air Force Base, California.
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U-2 Dragon Lady: The 9th SRW is famously associated with operating the Lockheed U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft since the 1970s, providing critical intelligence during the Cold War and beyond.
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SR-71 Blackbird: The wing became world-renowned for flying the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft ever built, conducting strategic reconnaissance missions from 1966 to 1990.
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Beale AFB: The 9th SRW has been based at Beale Air Force Base, California, since 1966, serving as the hub for high-altitude reconnaissance operations.
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Cold War Missions: During the Cold War, the 9th SRW played a key role in gathering intelligence over hostile territories including the Soviet Union, China, and Vietnam.
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Gulf War Operations: The wing supported Operation Desert Storm in 1991 by providing real-time intelligence and reconnaissance with both U-2 and SR-71 aircraft.
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Transition to Modern ISR: The 9th SRW now operates the RQ-4 Global Hawk, a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, maintaining its tradition of cutting-edge reconnaissance.
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Record Setters: Aircraft from the 9th SRW set multiple speed and altitude records, including the SR-71’s official absolute speed record of 2,193.2 mph in 1976.
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Cuban Missile Crisis: U-2 pilots from the 9th SRW played a pivotal role in photographing Soviet missile installations in Cuba, directly influencing U.S. decisions during the 1962 crisis.
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Emblem and Motto: The 9th SRW’s emblem features a winged sword and the motto “Freedom Through Vigilance,” reflecting its enduring mission of global surveillance and intelligence gathering.
