more than 7,000 operational sorties, utilizing an integrated suite of all-weather Multi-spectral image sensors. The unit has maintained a 98 percent mission effectiveness rating, despite challenging weather and a long logistics trail. Significant past events include the 1976 Korean Demilitarized Zone "tree cutting" incident in which two U.S. officers lost their lives. The unit provided continuous coverage of the area during the tense period that followed. Since 1976, surge operations have been conducted many times due to heightened tensions on the Korean peninsula. In 1987, President Chun Doo-hwan visited the detachment to honor the unit for its outstanding contribution to the security of the country. In addition to its real world mission, the unit has flown humanitarian sorties to assess ROK environmental concerns, such as flood damage, and assist the Philippines in surveying the devastation caused by the Mount Pinatubo eruption. Lineage 5th Aero Squadron Organized as the 5th Aero Squadron on 5 May 1917 Redesignated Squadron A, Souther Field, Georgia on 15 July 1918 Demobilized on 11 November 1918 Reconstituted, and consolidated with the 5th Observation Squadron as the 5th Observation Squadron in April 1924 5th Reconnaissance Squadron Authorized as the 5th Aero Squadron on 15 August 1919 Organized 24 October 1919 Redesignated 5th Squadron (Observation) on 14 March 1921 Redesignated 5th Observation Squadron on 25 January 1923 Consolidated with Squadron A, Souther Field, Georgia in April 1924 Redesignated 5th Bombardment Squadron on 1 March 1935 Redesignated 5th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 6 December 1939 Redesignated 5th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 20 November 1940 Redesignated 5th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 28 March 1944 Inactivated on 20 October 1948 Redesignated 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic and activated on 1 May 1949 Redesignated 5th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy on 1 April 1950 Redesignated 5th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 2 October 1950 Discontinued and inactivated on 25 June 1966 Redesignated 5th Strategic Reconnaissance Training Squadron on 12 February 1986 Activated on 1 July 1986 Inactivated on 30 June 1990 Redesignated 5th Reconnaissance Squadron''' on 21 September 1994 Activated on 1 October 1994 Assignments Post Headquarters, Kelly Field, 5 May 1917 Post Headquarters, Souther Field, 1 May − 30 June 1918 3d Observation Group (attached to Eastern Department) 24 October 1919 Eastern Department, 24 March 1920 Second Corps Area, 20 August 1920 (attached to 1st Provisional Air Brigade for operations, 6 May − 3 October 1921) 9th Observation Group, 1 August 1922 1st