111th Reconnaissance Squadron

111th Reconnaissance Squadron
111th Reconnaissance Squadron General Atomics MQ-1B Predator 07-3224
Active	1917–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Texas
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Squadron
Role	Reconnaissance
Part of	Texas Air National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Houston, Texas
Nickname(s)	The Ace in the Hole Squadron
Tail Code	Houston (1989-1996) EF (1996-2008) TX (2008-Present)
Engagements	World War I World War II Korean war
Insignia
111th Reconnaissance Squadron emblem

The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron (111 RS) is a unit of the Texas Air National Guard 147th Reconnaissance Wing located at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Houston, Texas. The 111th is equipped with the MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

The squadron is a descendant organization of the World War I 111th Aero Squadron, established on 14 August 1917. It was reformed on 29 June 1923, as the 111th Observation Squadron, and is one of the 29 original National Guard Observation Squadrons of the United States Army National Guard formed before World War II.

The 111th Reconnaissance Squadron is the oldest unit of the Texas Air National Guard, with over 95 years of service to the State of Texas and the United States.

The Texas Air National Guard began as the 111th Aero Squadron on 14 August 1917 at Kelly Field in San Antonio, TX. The unit, composed of teamsters and laborers, was on special duty at Kelly Field and was known as the "Post Headquarters Squadron." The squadron was demobilized 19 August 1919.

The unit was reorganized with the establishment of a permanent air service in 1920, forming in the old Houston Light Guard Armory. The 111th Observation Squadron received Federal Recognition on 29 June 1923, as part of the 36th Division, Texas Air National Guard.

The squadron had no airplanes, so the hot summer of 1923 was devoted to close-order drill and classroom sessions. That was remedied, however, in September of that year when the 111th became airborne in the Curtiss JN-6H Jenny.

In September 1927 the Curtiss JN-6Hs were retired and the squadron gained Consolidated PT-1s and several other trainers until June 1928 when new Douglas O-2H observation aircraft arrived. During the next 10 years, the 111th performed outstanding civic service to the State of Texas, dropping medicine and relief supplies to many of the towns that were isolated by floodwaters, tornados, and fires. New Douglas O-38 observation planes were received in January 1931. By 1938 the squadron was flying both Douglas Douglas O-43As and North American O-47s.