6th Reconnaissance Squadron The 6th Reconnaissance Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit , which is currently assigned to the 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base , New Mexico . The 6th RS is the USAF ' s Formal Training Unit for crews learning to operate the MQ - 1 Predator . On 23 October 2009 , the 6th was reactivated as the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron at Holloman AFB , and assumed its mission of providing Initial Qualification Training for pilots and sensor operators learning to operate the MQ - 1 Predator remotely - piloted aircraft . History . Established in 1943 as one of the initial B - 29 Superfortress Very Heavy bombardment squadrons . Trained in Kansas with early model B - 29s , with frequent delays in training due to modifications of the aircraft correcting production deficiencies . XX Bomber Command ( India ) . Deployed to India in early 1944 ; several aircraft breaking down en route via South Atlantic Transport route from Florida to Brazil then to Liberia ; across central Africa and Arabia , arriving in Karachi , India in March 1944 . Arrived at converted B - 24 airfield in eastern India in mid - April 1944 . Aircraft still undergoing modifications while transporting munitions and fuel to forward airfield in central China ; staging first attacks on Japanese Home Islands since the 1942 Doolittle Raid . Lack of logistical support limited number of attacks on Japan from Chinese staging airfields ; squadron also attacked strategic enemy targets in Thailand ; Indochina and Malay Peninsula . XXI Bomber Command ( Marianas ) . Reassigned to Mariana Islands when island airfields became available after Battle of Tinian ; moved to West Field , Tinian the Central Pacific Area in January 1945 and assigned to XXI Bomber Command , Twentieth Air Force . It ' s mission was the strategic bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands and the destruction of its war - making capability . When training was completed moved to North Field Guam in the Mariana Islands of the Central Pacific Area in January 1945 and assigned to XXI Bomber Command , Twentieth Air Force . It ' s mission was the strategic bombardment of the Japanese Home Islands and the destruction of its war - making capability . Flew " shakedown " missions against Japanese targets on Moen Island , Truk , and other points in the Carolines and Marianas . The squadron began combat missions over Japan on 25 February 1945 with a firebombing mission over Northeast Tokyo . The squadron continued to participate in wide area firebombing attack , but the first ten day blitz resulting in the Army Air Forces running out of incendiary bombs . Until then the squadron flew conventional strategic bombing missions using high explosive bombs . The squadron continued attacking urban areas with incendiary raids until the end of the war in August 1945 , attacking major Japanese cities , causing massive destruction of urbanized areas . Also conducted raids against strategic objectives , bombing aircraft factories , chemical plants , oil refineries , and other targets in Japan . The squadron flew its last combat missions on 14 August when hostilities ended . Afterwards , its B 29s carried relief supplies to Allied prisoner of war camps in Japan and Manchuria Reassigned to the United States as part of Continental Air Forces ( later Strategic Air Command ) . Designated as a RB - 29 very long range reconnaissance squadron ; inactivated in 1946 due to budget restrictions . Strategic Air Command . Reactivated in 1955 as a Strategic Air Command Reconnaissance Squadron , operating RB - 47 Stratojet swept - wing reconnaissance bombers , capable of flying at high subsonic speeds and primarily designed for penetrating the airspace of the Soviet Union . Flew many long - range clandestine missions with the RB - 47 , flying many ferret missions around the periphery of Soviet territory , and sometimes inside on penetration flights to map planned routes for B - 52s if combat missions over the Soviet Union ever became necessary . Missions also included intelligence gathering flying missions off the coasts of North Korea , Communist China and other areas . Inactivated in 1962 with the phaseout of the B - 47 from the inventory . Reactivated in 1963 as a B - 52E Stratofortress squadron , receiving aircraft and personnel from the inactivating 98th Bombardment Squadron . Performed nuclear alert duties and flew numerous training missions and in SAC exercises until 1968 with the retirement of the B - 52E . Re - equipped with the B - 52D and deployed personnel and aircraft to the Western Pacific for combat missions over Indochina as part of Operation Arc Light . Squadron was inactivated in 1969 with the closing of Clinton - Sherman AFB and the inactivation of the parent 70th Bomb Wing due to budget reductions on 31 December 1969 .