3d Special Operations Squadron The 3d Special Operations Squadron ( 3 SOS ) flies MQ - 1 Predator Remotely Piloted Aircraft ( RPA ) and is currently located at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis , New Mexico . The 3d SOS is under the command of the Air Force Special Operations Command . Mission . Currently operates Predators engaged in and Enduring Freedom . History . Organized in France in April 1918 , the Photographic Section No . 1 processed aerial photographs taken by flying units working with the I Army Corps ( American ) and French XXXVIII Army Corps , 5 April – November 1918 . The 1 Photographic Section , from September 1919 until becoming the 3 Observation Squadron on 1 June 1937 , processed aerial photography of associated observation squadrons in Texas . At Langley Field , VA , the squadron engaged in aerial observation work with the Coast Artillery School until April 1942 . It supported ground forces on maneuvers during 1942 , and served as a training and demonstration unit January 1943 – February 1944 . The squadron was not manned or equipped , 1 Mar - 2 July 1944 . Activated again in May 1952 under Strategic Air Command as part of its global reconnaissance mission . The squadron did not receive its first aircraft until 1 July 1953 , when it immediately began familiarization training , followed by in - flight refueling training in February 1954 . It received RB - 47E aircraft in March 1954 , and conducted its first long - range mission ( 6 planes to Alaska for 10 days ) in May 1954 . The squadron deployed at RAF Upper Heyford , England , 14 September – 3 November 1954 . Some of these flights were mounted from Thule in Greenland and probed deep into the heart of the Soviet Union , taking a photographic and radar recording of the route attacking SAC bombers would follow to reach their targets . Flights which involved penetrating mainland Russia were termed SENSINT ( Sensitive Intelligence ) missions . One RB - 47 even managed to fly 450 miles inland and photograph the city of Igarka in Siberia . It photographed numerous Air Force bases and American cities , 1954 – 1958 , and participated regularly in SAC exercises . Missions flown on a reduced scale after February 1958 when events showed the vulnerability of the RB - 47 to Soviet air defenses and the development of the U - 2 aircraft . Became non - operational , 15 April – l July 1958 when it inactivated . As the 3d Air Commando Squadron in South Vietnam , it absorbed resources of the 14 Air Commando Squadron . It flew combat missions in AC - 47D gunships in close air support of ground forces , providing flare illumination and gunfire in support of strategic hamlets , out¬posts , and friendly forces under night attack . From 16 February – 1 May 1969 , all squadron aircraft were maintained on ground alert when not flying , due to the TET ( New Year ) offensive . It began transferring its gunships to the Vietnamese Air Force in June 1969 and flew its last mission on 7 August 1969 . The 3 Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron although having a " tactical " designation , was not equipped with aircraft . Rather , it operated Camp O ' Donnell , Philippines , the Pacific Air Forces Electronic Warfare Range , the Crowe Valley Aerial Gunnery Range , and associated facilities . It provided realistic conventional , tactical , and electronic warfare training in a simulated com¬bat environment during COPE THUNDER exercises . These exercises provided combat training for fighter aircrews of not only the US Air Force , but also fighter crews of the US Marine Corps , US Navy , and allied air forces in the western Pacific area . Following the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in June 1991 , personnel were evacuated , and the squadron remained unmanned until its inactivation . Provided remotely piloted aircraft ( RPA ) support to a multitude of ground forces , 2005 – present . Motto . PRO PATRIA PRO LIBERIS – translated – For Country For Freedom