Activated on February 21, 1951, the 56th SRS absorbed the personnel and resources of the 512th RS. Until early June 1952, the squadron flew almost daily strategic weather reconnaissance missions over the combat zone. Through the end of the conflict, the squadron conducted shipping surveillance and flew two reconnaissance tracks to observe and report weather conditions in the area east of the Asian landmass, between Formosa and USSR's the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Stations
Misawa AB, Japan, February 21, 1951; Yokota AB, Japan, September 14, 1951-.
Activated on February 21, 1951, the 56th SRS absorbed the personnel and resources of the 512th RS. Until early June 1952, the squadron flew almost daily strategic weather reconnaissance missions over the combat zone. Through the end of the conflict, the squadron conducted shipping surveillance and flew two reconnaissance tracks to observe and report weather conditions in the area east of the Asian landmass, between Formosa and USSR's the Kamchatka Peninsula.
Stations
Misawa AB, Japan, February 21, 1951; Yokota AB, Japan, September 14, 1951-.
Entry: 101783
Subject: 56TH WEA RECON SQ
Subject: 56TH WEA RECON SQ
Clarence Holmes (McCall) wrote on March 23, 2024
City and State: MD
Unit:
Service or Relationship:
Comments: Served as personnel specialist from May 58 thru May 61.
Keywords:
Entry: 99994
Subject: 1958-1960 YOKOTA AFB JAPAN 56TH WEATHER R4360 ENGINE MECHANIC
Subject: 1958-1960 YOKOTA AFB JAPAN 56TH WEATHER R4360 ENGINE MECHANIC
Robert Deems wrote on January 25, 2021
City and State: CONKLIN MI
Unit: 56TH WEATHER RECON
Service or Relationship: Air Force
Comments: Was stationed at Yokota 1958-1960 Lived in Barracks 333 Worked on WB-50 as R4360 engine Mechanic Belonged to aero club got Private pilots license in May 1959 And on August 18, 1959 watched Sunrise from top of Mt. Fuji after a long climb Best years of my Life
Keywords:
Entry: 95316
Subject: 56TH WEATHER RECON.1958-1960
Subject: 56TH WEATHER RECON.1958-1960
Robert Deems SENIOR wrote on February 7, 2018
City and State: CONKLIN MI
Unit: 56TH WEATHER RECON. YOKOTA AFB JAPAN
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Was aircraft reciprocating engine mechanic on WB-50 R4360 engine. 1958-1960. Was member of Yokota AFB Aero Club. Got Private pilots license in May of 1959
Keywords:
Entry: 94009
Subject: CORRECTION
Subject: CORRECTION
Lou Borok wrote on November 21, 2016
City and State: CORDOVA TN
Unit: 56TH STRAT/WRS
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I flew with the 56th as a Senior Airborne Radio Operator, The Korean truce was signed July 27, 1953. The combat zone, however, continued until the end of 1954. Our daily missions over Korea were considered penetrations of a combat zone until then and we received combat pay (in the form of flight crew member pay not being taxed) until then. Many people still do not know the war never officially ended. South Korea was never signed the truce.
Keywords:
Entry: 93195
Subject: BKS 333 FROM 1960 TO 1963
Subject: BKS 333 FROM 1960 TO 1963
John Williamson wrote on May 23, 2016
City and State:
Unit: %6 WRS
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I was in Bks 333 from 1960 to 1963 where is everybody and
Picts. Potter,Gene Hampton, Okie Gib, Mendie Mendenhall, Castro,
Whidmar,Hendrickson, Don Manley? jwillia100@aol.com
Keywords:
Entry: 91875
Subject: SO LITTLE INFO ON 56WRS
Subject: SO LITTLE INFO ON 56WRS
Stephen A. Muscarella wrote on September 9, 2015
City and State: TUCSON AZ
Unit: 56 WRS ('62 THRU '64)
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: There is so little info on 56WRS and the important missions flown in the '60s. I know that we had many WB50's with tail numbers in the 300 series (313, 333, 343?, 310, 351). I have no photo's of aircraft that I flew on, but feel certain that the one on display at the AF Museum (310) was one of ours. Yet it is credited to the 55th WRS. No one provides info on our missions out of Midway Island during Space Capsule Recovery nor any of the horrendous typhoon penetrations made throughout the Pacific. Many missions of 'air sampling', cold war flights in the northern Pacific, etc. are totally missing from any documentation available online. We did a lot for the space mission and for providing early warning of storms. I'd like to see some crecit given to the brave and wonderful crews that flew out of Yokota, AB Japan.
Keywords: Typhoon Recon, Man in Space program, capsule splashdown.
Entry: 90553
Subject: 56TH STRATEGIC RECON SQDN WALTER C. MATHEWS
Subject: 56TH STRATEGIC RECON SQDN WALTER C. MATHEWS
Leslie Nail wrote on February 6, 2015
City and State: PALATKA FL
Unit: 56TH STRATEGIC RECON SQDN
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: Looking for anyone who may have served or just knew my grandfather Walter Carole Mathews. I have been going through all of his military pictures and misc things. Would love to talk to any of you that may have served with him.
Keywords:
Entry: 90045
Subject: ENG MECH YAKOTA AFB 62-63
Subject: ENG MECH YAKOTA AFB 62-63
S. Smithers wrote on November 19, 2014
City and State: VERONA NJ
Unit: 56WRS
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: 4360 Eng Mech B50 1962-1963 Yakota Short Vidio flight line Aircraft taxi-- Some photo in hanger. Photo AC 341 ramp Hickam AFB
Keywords:
Entry: 88441
Subject: LOOKING FOR FRIEND
Subject: LOOKING FOR FRIEND
William Smith wrote on March 3, 2014
City and State: BLYTHEWOOD SC
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Keywords:
Entry: 87924
Subject: JAMES F. RUTHERFORD
Subject: JAMES F. RUTHERFORD
Richard Rutherford wrote on December 18, 2013
City and State: CENTERVILLE GA
Unit: 56TH STATEGIC RECONASSANCE SQUADRON
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: I'm looking for anyone who knew my great uncle. His name was James F. Rutherford and wanted to know how he was KIA. If you have any information please give me a call. Thank you.
Keywords:
Entry: 84876
Subject: WANT TO LOCATE PREVIOUS AIR FORCE FRIENDS
Subject: WANT TO LOCATE PREVIOUS AIR FORCE FRIENDS
Robert Culbertson SR. wrote on December 2, 2012
City and State: KINGSPORT TN
Unit: RETIRED
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I have only met one of the flight engineers I flew
with in Japan. That was Frank Bonnet, who was also
stationed in Dover AFB,Del. I would appareciate any
help finding and locating any of the mentioned in my
message. If that should be, then please email that
information to me
Keywords: C-124, C-141, C5
Entry: 84501
Subject: YOKOTA AFB 1953-54
Subject: YOKOTA AFB 1953-54
Charles Fiddler wrote on October 23, 2012
City and State:
Unit: 56TH WEATHER RECON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Removed and repaired Navigational equipment From WB-
B29's.
Our mission was to check intensity of Russia's A-Bomb
tests
Keywords:
Entry: 81154
Subject: SEEKING INFO ABOUT MY DAD AND HIS CREW.
Subject: SEEKING INFO ABOUT MY DAD AND HIS CREW.
Jeff Greene wrote on November 25, 2011
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My father, Capt. Joseph M. Greene, passed away 5
years ago and I grew up hearing so many stories about
his USAF career. I am hoping to contact anyone who
may have known him or who may have flown in his
squadron. I have some pictures that date back to the
Korean War period 51-52 that I would like to share.
I also would appreciate anyone with photos or first
hand knowledge of the squadron to contact me,
jeffgreene4u@hotmail.com.
The work you did, especially monitoring the Soviet
atomic program, was one of the flash points during
the cold war that most people know little about.
I would like to document your experiences and
possible write a book on the subject.
Thank you all for your service.
Keywords: WB-29, 56th Strategic Recon, Radiation, Secret
Entry: 79042
Subject: 56TH STRAT RECON SQ
Subject: 56TH STRAT RECON SQ
Bill Cochran SR. wrote on May 26, 2011
Email Update Needed
City and State: GREAT MILLS MD
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: From Feb 53 to Jul 54-Other R/O's, Burr-Hodge-Jones-
Ferris the CO. Flew filter msn's, Typhoons,Spcl msn;s.
Would like any info on this Sq. Thank you.
Keywords: Radio Opr section-Buzz Kilo---Buzz Delta
Entry: 78175
Subject: 56TH WRS 1963-64 INSTRUMENT SHOP
Subject: 56TH WRS 1963-64 INSTRUMENT SHOP
Tom Kelly wrote on March 14, 2011
City and State: POWAY CA
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Tom Kelly from 'Philly'. Worked in the instrument shop. Auto pilot and Compass systems. Hung with a lot of guys from Philly .... Corcoran, Juliano, Kelly ......
Recent events in Japan rekindled some fond memories 'growing up' (just out of High School) away from home.
Keywords: 56th, instrument shop, 1963-64, Kelly, Philly, Autopilots and Compass Systems, 3.2 beer, Akadama
Entry: 77933
Subject: 56TH WEATHER RECON 1960 62
Subject: 56TH WEATHER RECON 1960 62
Michael Madison wrote on February 20, 2011
City and State: BENNINGTON VT
Unit: 56TH WEA. RECON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: it seems so long ago, ican hardly remenber everthing. the typhoons we penetrated , guam taragy beach 14 hour flights north of hokiado circling in soviat bomb crud my girl friend in fussa. its all a memory now but it was important part of my life. i,m sure you all feel the same way. in oct. 62 i transfered the 55th at mccellen . we made round robins to hawaii, alaska, thule ,moron spain, tampa , for what i dont know. i was a dropsonde operator and never made one drop. a great experence.
Keywords: wb50 56 weather recon
Entry: 71632
Subject: ROTATING EYEBALLS ASSOCIATION
Subject: ROTATING EYEBALLS ASSOCIATION
Nolan Barnett wrote on September 14, 2009
Email Update Needed
City and State: SPRING TX
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Army Veteran
Comments: My father, Captain Vertnor N. Barnett, Navigator/Bobardier, was in 56th Strat Rcn and stationed at Misawa in 1951. I would like to learn more about this and specifically the "Rotating Eyeballs Association" he was inducted into. I have two other names: Capt. Segal and Lt. Ratner.
There was some thing called a "Davis Cup".
Any information sent would be appreciated.
Keywords: Rotating Eyeballs Association
Davis Cup
Misawa Air Base Piloter
Entry: 71014
Subject: JIM CRIMMINS 56TH WRS 1956 - 58, YOKOTA AFB
Subject: JIM CRIMMINS 56TH WRS 1956 - 58, YOKOTA AFB
Jim Crimmins wrote on July 25, 2009
City and State: YARNELL AZ
Unit: 56TH WEATHER RECON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: We served after the Korean War, however would like to hear from anyone who served at the time I did, expecially anyone in the Airborne Electronics Section.
Keywords: 1956-58 56th WRS
Entry: 69807
Subject: EXPOSURE TO RADIO ACTIVE DUST
Subject: EXPOSURE TO RADIO ACTIVE DUST
Bernard (Bernie) Byrnes wrote on April 9, 2009
Email Update Needed
City and State: WESTWOOD MA
Unit: 56TH STRAT. RECON SQRDN ELECTRIC SHOP
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I have been fighting cancer for quite a few years internal as well as external (skin). On the external I go to a dermatologist every three months and often less. Each time I have at least one cancer removed. On the internal I spent last summer Mondays thru Fridays for eight weeks having radiation. I have been fighting as well as others to get my problems rated by the VA. In our shop on the line we were the the ones that pulled the dust filters and compressed air samples, this without proper protection. The AF sent me the history of the flights that picked up samples
If you were involved with this project June 53 I have important info for you.
ThANKS
bERNIE bYRNES
Keywords: WX B29's
Entry: 64194
Subject: 56TH STRAT RECON YOKOTA AFB 52/53
Subject: 56TH STRAT RECON YOKOTA AFB 52/53
Bernard (Bernie) Byrnes wrote on February 6, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: WESTWOOD MA
Unit: 56TH STRAT RECON WX RECON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Would like to hear from anyone who was involved with Special Operations: GUMSHOE, TOP HAT, BARKEEPER and CATALAN.
Keywords: Life member Air Weather Recon Association
Entry: 59479
Subject: SERVED IN JAPAN FROM 1850-1953
Subject: SERVED IN JAPAN FROM 1850-1953
Robert S. Crawford wrote on January 5, 2007
City and State: WYNNE AR
Unit: 512TH/56TH STRAT. RECON SQUADRON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: We have a reunion of 54th, 56th and 57th members each year at different locations in the US. Many of us attend and enjoy the reunions. our next will be at Memphis in Sept 2007. (Actual date TBD) Mr, Frank Whitmire, Collyville, Texas is our organizer. More information will be provided any interested person by sending an E Mail.
Keywords: I was a mdechanic and later Asst Crew Chief on Aircraft 4461893 from Mar 50 to July 52. Worked for MSgt. Marsh Thulin.
Entry: 56956
Subject: AWRO 56TH
Subject: AWRO 56TH
Daymond E. Helton wrote on May 3, 2006
Email Update Needed
City and State: ROCKHOLDS KY
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Hi:
I lost my computer last year.
Daymond E. Helton
Retired USAF Major
K-6 MAG 12 Weather Officer
Fall of 1952-1953
I have a terrible memory. No names from the year at K-6. I have several pictures
Keywords: WB 29 AWRO 1954-56
Entry: 56921
Subject: 56TH RECON FLIGHT CREW MEMBER 1953-54
Subject: 56TH RECON FLIGHT CREW MEMBER 1953-54
Wallace (Wally) Miller wrote on April 30, 2006
Email Update Needed
City and State: TAYLOR MI
Unit: 56TH STRATEGIC RECON SQD.
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Keywords: Flew with Capt. Whittenberg and at times Teddy Downs Other Engrs were Msg/t's Hildebrandt, Harris, Saltikoff
Boswood. Do you remember Les Pelto, James Anderson, and Tom Primrose from WB-29 #450?
Please contact me if you are able.
Entry: 55157
Subject: WO JOHN A. DEERE, CPT CATALANO 1950
Subject: WO JOHN A. DEERE, CPT CATALANO 1950
John A. Deere JR. wrote on January 13, 2006
City and State: MATTHEWS NC
Unit: 56TH STRATEGIC RECON SQUADRON, YAKOTA, JAPAN
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My father WOJG John A. Deere, went over to Japan in April 1950 and was a weather observer flying in the nose of the B-29 (RB-50).
On December 19, 1950, his plane lost #3 prop and almost had to ditch, but Captain Catalano managed to get the plane back to Yakota. Our family went over to Yakota in Oct. 1951 and and all returned to US in Dec. 1952. I have a red hard bound 62 page book on the 56th, described as a pictoral history on the 56th. It is loaded with pictures
but unfortunately there are no names under the pictures.
Keywords: 56th in Japan April'50- Dec'52
Entry: 53508
Subject: 56TH STRAT RECON SQDN
Subject: 56TH STRAT RECON SQDN
Robert Flynn wrote on October 9, 2005
Email Update Needed
City and State: WATERLOO IA
Unit: 56TH STRAT RECON SQDN
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Keywords: At Yokota AFB Japan, 1952-1954
Entry: 44394
Subject: 1950-51-52 56TH, RECON, SCANNER
Subject: 1950-51-52 56TH, RECON, SCANNER
Lonnie Dennis wrote on July 11, 2004
City and State: WILMINGTON NC
Unit: 56TH STRAT. RECON. SQD.
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: Any listing of Sqd. members and addresses would be welcome.
Keywords: Looking for Richard "Fuzzy" Graham---From MI.
Entry: 44100
Subject: MEMBERS OF THE 56TH RECON SQD (1951 - 1954)
Subject: MEMBERS OF THE 56TH RECON SQD (1951 - 1954)
Richard Thorp wrote on June 28, 2004
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: Hello,
I am looking for information and contacts from the 56th Recon Sqdrn for the time period my father, George Thorp, served : 1951 - 1954.
Would also be interested in finding out where to aquire a unit patch for the Squadron.
vry,
Major Richard Thorp
Keywords:
Entry: 34919
Subject: 56TH RECON FROM 52-54
Subject: 56TH RECON FROM 52-54
Allen Wiley wrote on June 17, 2003
Email Update Needed
City and State: WARRENTON MO
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: Would appreciate hearing from other crew members as I now belong to the CAF and a crew member on "Fifi" the only B-29 that is still flying and we tour during the summer months.We may be in your home town soon so come out and see us.
Keywords: Flew as Right Scanner from Dec 1952 till May 1954
Entry: 14497
Subject: ANY INFO ON THE 56TH STRAT RECON
Subject: ANY INFO ON THE 56TH STRAT RECON
Jack Friend wrote on January 22, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State: JACKSON MI
Unit: 56TH STRAT RECON
Service or Relationship: -
Comments: 56TH STRAT RECON
Keywords:
Entry: 14495
Subject: 56TH STRAT RECON
Subject: 56TH STRAT RECON
Jack Friend wrote on January 22, 2001
Email Update Needed
City and State: JACKSON MI
Unit: 56TH STRAT RECON
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran - Korea
Comments: Looking for individuals who served with the 56th STRAT RECON in 1951 -1952.
Keywords:
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Looking For Units
Reconnaissance Squadron
- 11th Tactical Recon Sqdn
- 12th Tactical Recon Sqdn
- 15th Tactical Recon Sqdn
- 162nd Tactical Recon Sqdn
- 18th Tactical Recon Sqdn
- 25th Tactical Recon Sqdn
- 2nd Photo Recon Sqdn
- 31st Strategic Recon Sqdn
- 343rd Strategic Recon Sqdn
- 363rd Recon Technical Sqdn
- 45th Tactical Recon Sqdn
- 512th Weather Recon Sqdn (VLR)
- 51st Tactical Recon Sqdn
- 548th Recon Technical Sqdn
- 54th Strategic Recon Sqdn
- 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron
- 56th Strategic Recon Sqdn
- 57th Strategic Recon Sqdn
- 6204th Photo Mapping Flight (Clark AFB)
- 67th Recon Technical Sqdn
- 8th Tactical Recon Sqdn (Photo Jet)
- 91st Strategic Recon Sqdn
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