This is a site published by and for the members and friends of the historic 7499th Composite Squadron, 7499th Group (7405th Squadron, 7406th Squadron, 7407th Squadron), 7575th Group (7405th Squadron, 7580th Squadron) and all their associated units.  These units of the United States Air Forces Europe participated in overt and covert reconnaissance throughout the European theater during the Cold War from 1946 to 1990.  We meet to review and update our history and experiences.

Newsletter

USAFE's Cold War Recce next Reunion will be 24-26 September 2021 - Dayton, Ohio

- additional reunion information can be viewed at the "reunions tab"  when it becomes available

Cold War Warriors' Last Flight

From our meager archives, lists from earlier reunions and information from you, we have compiled a roster of those who have died since serving in USAFE and one of our units. Please click on the "Final Flights" listing to the left and see if you can fill in the blanks or provide additional news of these special crew members.  

Latest news...

Our Group(s) historian, John Bessette, worked with Walter Boyne, an aviation writer of long standing who publishes history articles in the Air Force Association's Air Force Magazine. Walt was tasked with preparing an article on the "Berlin for Lunch Bunch" for publication. He contacted John when he first got this task and asked for his help. While the main purpose of the article was the corridor mission, he did give the reader an indication of the theater-wide effort, 1946-1974. John also supplied the magazine with several of the best aircraft photographs of our collective history (from A-26s & B-17s through C-130Es). John fully credits the German aircraft "nuts" who took photos of our aircraft when we were not supposed to!