Here is the corrected and completed list of all U-2 and SR-71 units,
their bases, OLs and Dets. (Last update January 11, 1995)
Det X (USAF / CIA), Detachments):
----------------------------------
Detachment, USAF / CIA deployment base for U-2 reconnaissance aircraft
(later OL-n, then to OL-XX and Det n), where _X_ is a capital letter:
Det A - RAF Lakenheath, England, 1st WRSP, (WRSP-1), (Weather Reconnaissance
Squadron, Provisional), moved to:
- Wiesbaden AB, Germany, moved to:
- Giebelstadt AB, Germany
Det B - Incirlik AFB, Turkey, 2nd WRSP, (WRSP-2), later also known as:
Det 10-10, or TUSLOG (Turkey-US Logistics Group)
Det C - Atsugi AB, Japan, 3rd WRSP, (WRSP-3)
Det D - ?
Det E - ?
Det F - ?
Det _ - Groom (Dry) Lake Test Facility, 4th WRSP, (WRSP-4), also known as:
'Watertown Strip', 'Aerea 51', 'The Area', 'The Ranch',
'Paradise Ranch', 'Dreamland', with U-2, moved 6/1960 to:
Det G - Edwards AFB, North Base, California, USAF Flight Test Center, also
known as 'Special Projects Branch',
- 1969 redesignated 1130th ATTG, and belonging to ARDC, together with
the 6512th TG (also at Edwards AFB)
Det G'- Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, (pronounced "G prime"),
ground crew from Det G to suport aircraft and pilots drom Det H
Det H - Taoyuan AB, Taiwan, 35th Squadron, 'Black Cats', 6th Group, RoCAF
OL-n (USAF, Operating Locations):
---------------------------------
Operating Location, SAC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance
aircraft (later called Det n), where _n_ is a sequence number:
OL-1 - ?
OL-2 - ?
OL-3 - ?
OL-4 - ?
OL-5 - Eielson AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HASP-deployment 1958 - 3/1960)
OL-6 - ?
OL-7 - ?
OL-8 - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2, SR-71, also known as:
OL-RK, (OLRK), then OL-KA, (OLKA), later to Det 1
OL-9 - ?
OL-10 - ?
OL-11 - RAAF Laverton, East Sale, Australia, U-2, (HASP-deployment 11/1960 and
10/1961), moved to:
- RAAF Avalon, Australia, U-2, (the very last HASP-deployment 2/1965),
and back to:
- RAAF Laverton, Australia, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 7/1966)
OL-12 - ?
OL-13 - ?
OL-14 - ?
OL-15 - ?
OL-16 - ?
OL-17 - ?
OL-18 - Howard AFB, Panama Canal Zone, U-2, (HASP-deployment), and
- Albrook AFB, Panama Canal Zone, U-2, (HASP-deployment and
HiCAT-deployment)
OL-19 - Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, U-2, (including HiCAT deployment), moved
1969 to:
- McCoy AFB, Florida, U-2
OL-20 - Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, also known as: 'Lucky Dragon', 'Giant Dragon',
and 'Trojan Horse', U-2, moved 7/1970 to:
- U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, U-2, to OL-RU, (OLRU),
redesignated 99th SRS (November 1972)
OL-XX (USAF, Operating Locations):
----------------------------------
Operating Location, SAC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance
aircraft (before and later called Det n), where _XX_ is a two letter code:
OL-RK - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2 and SR-71, also known as:
OL-8, OL-KA, (OLKA), (OLRK), later to Det 1, (disestablished ?),
(OL-8 became OL-RK on 10/30/1970, later changed to OL-KA),
(OL-RK stands for "Operating Location - Ryukyys", a chain of
islands, of which Okinawa is a part of)
OL-KA - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, U-2 and SR-71, also known as:
OL-8, OL-RK, (OLRK), (OLKA), later to Det 1, (disestablished ?),
(OL-RK became OL-KA on 10/21/1971, to Det 1 in 08/1974),
(OL-KA stands for "Operating Location - Kadena")
OL-RU - U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand, U-2, previously known as:
OL-20 (at Bien Hoa, Vietnam, moved to U-Tapao RTAFB in 07/1970),
(redesignated 99th SRS, 11/1972, and moved back to Beale AFB, CA)
(OL-RU stands probably for "Operating Location - RTAFB U-Tapao" ?)
OL-SB - Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, SR-71, (used for operational
non-stop reconnaisance flights over Egypt, Israel, and Syria during
the Yom Kipur War 1973/74),
(OL-SB might stand for "Operating Location - Seymour B..." ?)
OL-OH - RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, U-2, also known as: (OLOH), later to Det 3,
(1992 redesignated 5th RS, 9th RW), missions were code named
'Olive Harvest', maybe nicknamed 'Fantasy Island' (source 11),
redesignated Det. 1;
(OL-OH probably stands for "Operating Location - 'Olive Harvest'")
OL-CH - Al Taif AB, Saudi Arabia, 1700th RW(P), 1704th RS(P), U-2, (during
Desert Shield/Desert Storm and follow-up), missions were code named
'Camel Hump', probably redesignated 4402nd RS;
(OL-CH probably stands for "Operating Location - 'Camel Hump'")
OL-UK - RAF Alconbury, UK, U-2, previously designated 95th TRS, 17th RW,
(inactivated 09/15/1993, while operations continue as OL-UK),
moved 03/15/1995 to RAF Fairford;
(OL-UK stands for "Operating Location - United Kingdom")
OL-FR - BA 125 Istres, Le Tube, France, (Base Aerienne 125 = Air Base # 125)
CNES Flight Test Center,
(OL-FR stands for "Operating Location - France")
Det n (USAF, Detachments):
--------------------------
Detachment, SAC/ACC deployment base for U-2 and SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft
(previously OL-n), where _n_ is (usually) a sequence number:
Det 1 - Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, 1129th SAS, A-12, and 9th SRW, U-2,
SR-71, (ex OL-KA, (OLKA), ex OL-RK, (OLRK), ex OL-8)
- RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, (ex 5th RS, 9th RW, U-2, ex OL-OH, (OLOH)),
maybe nicknamed 'Fantasy Island'
Det 2 - Osan AB, South Korea, 9th SRW, redesignated 6th RS, 9th RW,
redesignated 5th RS, 9th RW, U-2
Det 3 - Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico, U-2, (HASP-deployment 1958,
MIDAS-deployment and HiCAT-deployment), moved to:
- RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, 9th SRW, redesignated 5th RS, 9th RW, U-2,
(ex OL-OH, (OLOH)), to Det 1, maybe nicknamed 'Fantasy Island'
Det 4 - Plattsburgh AFB, New York, U-2, (HASP-deployment), moved to:
- Ezeiza AB, Argentina, U-2, (HASP-deployment 9/11/58 to 8/1959 and
5/1960 to 6/1960), moved to:
- RAF Mildenhall, UK, 99th SRS, 9th SRW, established 3/31/1979,
U-2 and SR-71A, (the U-2s moved 1980 to RAF Alconbury, UK,
becoming the 95th TRS, 17th RW, 1991 to OL-UK, which moved
03/15/1996 to RAF Fairford, UK)
1980 - 1991 only SR-71
Det 5 - Patrick AFB, Florida, 9th SRW, U-2, (MIDAS-deployment and
HiCAT-deployment)
Det 51 - Palmdale, California, Air Force Plant 42, Lockheed Plant 10,
(ex Site II), 2762th Logistics Squadron, AFLC, U-2 and SR-71,
(before 12/31/1970, operations were part of AFSC),
reorganisation 09/1977 to:
Det 6 - Palmdale, California, Air Force Plant 42, Lockheed Plant 10,
(ex Site II), 2762th Logistics Squadron, AFLC, (ex Det 51),
U-2 and SR-71, (Headquaters at Norton AFB, California)
Det 10-10 - Incirlik AFB, Turkey, also known as TUSLOG (Turkey-US Logistics
Group), ex Det B (or 2nd WRSP), U-2
Main Bases and SAC / TAC / ACC Wings:
-------------------------------------
- Turner AFB, Georgia, 4080th SRW(L), (established April, 1, 1956),
equipped with RB-57D, moved February-April 1957 to:
- Laughlin AFB, Texas, 4080th SRW(L), equipped with U-2 and RB-57D,
redesignated 4080th SRW, (June 15, 1963),
finished July 1963 move to:
- Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, 4080th SRW,
redesignated 100th SRW, (June 15, 1966),
became 100th AREFW at Beale AFB, with KC-135,
and U-2 operations transferred to 9th SRW, (March/April 1976), at:
- Beale AFB, California, 4200th SRW, (established January 1, 1965),
with SR-71 and T-38, redesignated 9th SRW, (established June 25, 1966),
combining all operational SR-71 and U-2, (March/April 1976),
all SR-71 retiered (January 26, 1990),
redesignated 9th Wing, (1990, when SAC became
a part of ACC), with U-2 and T-38;
redesignated 9th RW, (10/1992), with U-2 and T-38
- RAF Alconbury, UK, 17th RW, (established 1976), with U-2,
ex Det 4, inactivated (September 15, 1993), operations continued as OL-UK,
moved 03/15/1995 to:
- RAF Fairford, UK, operations as OL-UK may have ceased and were possibly
completely transfered to:
- Istres AB, France, as OL-FR
SAC / TAC / ACC Squadrons:
--------------------------
- 4080th SRW(L) / 4025th SRS(L) 'Black Knights', (activated June 8, 1955),
at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, no aircraft assigned/received, moved:
to Turner AFB, Georgia, equipped with RB-57D, (May 1956), moved:
to Laughlin AFB, Texas, (February/May 1957),
deactivated June 15, 1960, RB-57D retired,
4080th SRW / 4025th RS, (reactivated July 1, 1965),
at Davis-Monthan AFB, with AQM/BQM-34, (ex Operation 'Lightning Bug'),
100th SRW / 350th SRS, (redesignated June 15, 1966),
deactivated 1976, when all SAC RPV assets were transferred to TAC
- 4080th SRW / 4028th SRS, (activated May 1, 1956)
at Laughlin AFB, Texas, equipped with U-2, (June 11, 1957)
4028th SRWS, (redesignated June 13, 1957), moved:
to Davis-Monthan AFB, (July 1963),
100th SRW / 349th SRS, (redesignated June 15, 1966),
all U-2 operation transferred to 99th SRS, (1976),
100th AREFW / 349th AREFS, (redesignated 1976), with KC-135
- 4080th SRW(L) / 4029th SRS(L), (paper unit, allocated April 1, 1956),
deactivated 1960,
9th SRW / 4029th SRTS, (reactivated August 1, 1981), with U-2R,
SR-71, and T-38
9th SRW / 5th SRTS 'The Dragon Tamers', (redesignated 1976),
deactivated (?),
- 9th SRW / 1st SRS, (activated 1960), with SR-71,
9th RW / 1st RS, (redesignated 1992), with U-2 and T-38
- 9th RW / 5th RS, (established 1992), with U-2,
(at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, (ex Det 3) (?),
(at Osan AB, South Korea, (ex Det 2) (?),
- 9th RW / 6th RS, (established 1992), with U-2,
(at Osan AB, South Korea, (ex Det 2),
(disestablished ?)
- 9th SRW / 99th SRS, (established June 1966), with SR-71,
deactivated (as SR-71 squadron) (April 1, 1971),
9th SRW / 99th SRS, (re-established November 1972), with U-2,
(ex OL-RU at U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand),
9th RW / 99th RS, (redesignated 1992)
- 17th RW / 95th TRS, (established 1976), with U-2,
(at RAF Alconbury, UK, from ex Det 4),
inactivated (September 15, 1993), operations continue as OL-UK
Other Units:
------------
- 1129th SAS, Groom (Dry) Lake, Nevada, (Special Activities Squadron),
(deployed only operational to Det 1, Kadena AB, Okinawa),
established 1961/62 (?), CIA operated, deactivated June 1968,
with A-12
- 1130th ATTG, Edwards AFB, North Base, California, USAF Flight Test Center,
(Air Technical Training Group), also known as
'Special Projects Branch', ex 4th WRSP, (WRSP-4), ex Det G,
established mid-1969, (belonged to ARDC), CIA operated,
deactivated mid-1974, with U-2
- 2762th LS, Palmdale, Airforce Plant 42, (Logistics Squadron),
(belongs to AFLC), U-2 and SR-71
- 1700th RW(P), Al Taif AB, Saudi Arabia, (Reconnaissance Wing (Provisional)),
(also known as OL-CH), with:
- 1704th RS(P), Al Taif AB, Saudi Arabia, (Reconnaissance Squadron
(Provisional)), (also known as OL-CH), with U-2,
(probably) redesignated:
- 4402nd RS, Al Taif AB, Saudi Arabia, (Reconnaissance Squadron), and
belonging/assigned to 9th RW
- 4200th TW, Beale AFB, California, (Test Wing), with B-52H and D-21B,
with:
- 4200th TS, Beale AFB, California, (Test Squadron), with B-52H and D-21B,
and:
- 4200th A/SS, Beale AFB, California, (Air/Support Squadron),
(maybe with B-52H and D-21B, maybe redesignated to 4200th TS)
- 4786th TS, Edwards AFB, North Base, California, (Test Squadron),
designated January 16, 1970, (ex SR-71/YF-12 Test Force,
established June 1965), with YF-12 (and SR-71 ?)
- 6512th TG, Edwards AFB, North Base, California, (Test Group),
(belongs to ARDC), with U-2
Other Operating Locations may include the following bases and air fields
around the world:
OL-x - Anderson AFB, Guam, U-2, (HASP-deployment)
OL-x - Bodo AB, Norway, U-2 and SR-71
OL-x - Charbatia, India, U-2
OL-x - Diego Garcia AB, Chagos Archipelago, U-2 and SR-71 (once)
OL-x - Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment)
OL-x - Fiji Islands, U-2, (HASP-deployment and HiCAT-deployment)
OL-x - Griffiss AFB, New York, SR-71
OL-x - Hanscom AFB, Alaska, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment)
OL-x - Hickam AFB, Hawai, U-2, (HASP-deployment and HiCAT-deployment)
OL-x - Kunsan AB, South Korea, U-2, (1960s)
OL-x - Lahore, Pakistan, U-2
OL-x - Loring AFB, Maine, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment)
OL-x - Meshad, Iran, U-2
OL-x - Minot AFB, North Dakota, U-2, (HASP-deployment 9/1959)
OL-x - NAS Cubi Point, Philippines, U-2
OL-x - Offut AFB, Nebraska, U-2
OL-x - Peshawar, Pakistan, U-2
OL-x - RAE Bedford, UK, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 3/1967)
OL-x - RAF Watton, UK, U-2, (RAF testing )
OL-x - RAF Wethersfield, UK, U-2, (ALSS-deployment Summer 1975)
OL-x - RNZAF Christchurch, New Zealand, U-2, (HiCAT-deployment 6/1966)
OL-x - San Angelo, Texas, U-2, (HASP-deployment)
OL-x - Sioux City, Iowa, U-2, (HASP-deployment)
OL-x - Warner-Robins AFB, Georgia, U-2 and SR-71, (SYPO - Senior Year
Programs Office)
OL-x - Zahedan airstrip, Iran, U-2
Civil Airports:
---------------
- Burbank Airport, California, Lockheed Corporation, U-2 and SR-71
- Van Nuys Airport, California, Lockheed Corporation, U-2
Aircraft Carrier:
-----------------
CVA-61 - USS Ranger - used for tests March 2/5, 1964, (U-2G 'N801X'
and 'N808X'), with 'O.N.R.' titles,
and operationally in May 1964 for 'Operation
Seeker') and maybe again in 1965/66
CVA-63 - USS Kitty Hawk - used for initial U-2A carrier tests in August of
1963, (U-2A 'N315X')
CVA-66 - USS America - used for U-2R carrier qualification in November of
1969, (U-2R 'N812X')
There are more locations, especially deployments of NASA aircraft, which
I have missed, please feel free to correct me and add your own $0.02 :)
Sources:
========
1) Dragon Lady - The History of the U-2 Spyplane, by Chris Pocock
2) Lockheed U-2 - AeroGraph 3, by Jay Miller
3) Lockheed U-2R/TR-1 - Aerofax Minigraph 28, by Jay Miller and Chris Pocock
4) Skunk Works - The First Fifty Years, by Jay Miller
5) Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, by Paul F. Crickmore
6) Lockheed SR-71 - The Secret Missions Exposed, by Paul F. Crickmore
7) U-2 Spyplane in action, squadron/signal 86, by Larry Davis
8) SR-71 Blackbird in action, squadron/signal 55, by Lou Drendal
9) Gulf Air War Debrief, World Air Power Journal, Editor: Stan Morse
10) United States Air Force Yearbook 1994
11) The Black Watch, by Gann (which I don't know/have)
12) The Oxcart Story, by "Thomas P. McIninch"
13) email from John Stone <John.Stone@Shivasys.com>
14) various Aviation Week & Space Technology (AW&ST) magazines
and many other.
(c) 1995 by Andreas Gehrs-Pahl