489th Attack Squadron
The 489th Attack Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, stationed at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, and operating MQ-1 and MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicles. It was active at Beale Air Force Base, California as the 489th Reconnaissance Squadron from 2011 to 2015.
| 489th Attack Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1917–1919; 1925–1942; 1942–1945; 1947–1949; 1958–1962; 2011-2015; 2016-present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Attack |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Creech Air Force Base |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Theodore |
| Insignia | |
| 489th Attack Squadron emblem (approved 27 February 2017) | |
| 489th Reconnaissance Squadron emblem | |
| 489th Bombardment Squadron emblem (approved 27 October 1959) | |
| 489th Bombardment Squadron emblem (World War II) | |
The squadron was first activated as the 77th Aero Squadron in 1917. Redesignated as the 489th Aero Squadron, it served as a support unit in France during World War I before returning to the US and being demobilized in 1919.
Through most of its existence, the squadron was named the 489th Bombardment Squadron. It served under this name from 1925 to 1942 in the Organized Reserve. The squadron served in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations during World War II, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations for actions in North Africa and Sicily. Inactivated after the war, it served briefly in the reserves a second time between 1947 and 1949. When Strategic Air Command reorganized its Boeing B-47 Stratojet wings as four squadron units the squadron was activated at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, remaining active until 1962.