RAF MILDENHALL, England -- The 95th Aero Squadron received its first group of Nieuport 28 aircraft March 6, 1918, and its mechanics immediately went to work prepping them for battle. However, the aircraft were delivered without their machine guns.
After a few days, Capt. James Ely Miller, 95th AS commanding officer, couldn’t wait any longer for the aircraft as he was anxious to get into the air and fly into combat. He met up with two other American aviators March 9, 1918, who were attached to a nearby French squadron. All three of them jumped into French Société Pour L'Aviation et ses Dérivés VIIs (SPAD, French fighter biplane) to complete the first American Expeditionary Forces aerial patrol over enemy territory.
Unfortunately, the group was attacked by German fighters and Miller was shot down and killed. He was the first American aviator killed in combat while assigned to an American squadron, and is buried at the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, about 66 miles northeast of Paris.
In the 100 years since that fateful flight, the 95th AS flew the Nieuport 28 and SPAD XIII fighter aircraft over France during World War I. As the 95th Bombardment Squadron, the squadron flew B-26 Marauders over France, Italy and Germany during World War II. As the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron stationed in England, the squadron flew missions with the U-2 Dragon Lady and TR-1 during the Cold War, from 1983 to 1993.
Since 1994, the squadron has flown and supported missions conducted by the WC-135 Constant Phoenix, OC-135B Open Skies, and the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint
All three variants of the RC-135: Rivet Joint, Combat Sent, and Cobra Ball, including combat sorties during Operation Allied Force. Throughout all the conflicts, the 95th has been represented by a kicking mule emblem, which was adopted in World War I.
The 95th RS honored its history of flying over Europe and the sacrifice of Miller with a ceremony March 9, 2018, when maintainers and former honor guard members Staff Sgt. Keith Washington Jr. and Staff Sgt. Eric Widener folded an American flag. The flag was flown on a mission in support of the U.S. European Command by two 95th RS members on the 100th anniversary of Miller's flight. After the flag was folded, it was presented to Lt. Col. Matthew Cottrill, current 95th RS commander.
“We should all be honored with our connections to such a distinguished heritage,” Cottrill said. “Today, we launched a mission on the efforts of the whole squadron just like the Mules before us 100 years ago. Their professionalism and hard work made it possible for us to follow in their footsteps. We honor the sacrifice of Capt. James Miller, and we should aspire to keep carrying the 95th's legacy for the next 100 years.”
While much has changed since 1918, one thing remains the same – the 95th still continues the legacy of patrolling Europe's skies.
The 95th Reconnaissance Squadron is part of the 55th Operations Group under the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.