8th Aero Squadron

8th Aero Squadron
8th Aero Squadron, Saizerais Aerodrome, France, 11 November 1918
Active21 June 1917 – 25 May 1919
Country United States
Branch  Air Service, United States Army
TypeSquadron
RoleCorps Observation
Part ofAmerican Expeditionary Forces (AEF)
Engagements
World War I
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Capt. John G. Winant
Insignia
8th Aero Squadron Emblem
Aircraft flown
ReconnaissanceDayton-Wright DH-4, 1918–1919
TrainerCurtiss JN-4, 1917
Service record
Operations

IV Corps Observation Group
VI Corps Observation Group
Western Front, France: 14 August-11 November 1918

  • Enemy Aircraft shot down: 4
  • Killed: 4
  • Wounded: 2
  • Missing: 3 (2 POW, escaped, returned to duty)
  • Aircraft lost:

The 8th Aero Squadron was an Air Service, United States Army unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I.

The squadron was assigned as a Corps Observation Squadron, performing short-range, tactical reconnaissance over the IV Corps, United States First Army sector of the Western Front in France, providing battlefield intelligence. IV Corps was transferred to the United States Second Army in October 1918 for a planned offensive drive on Metz which was cancelled due to the 1918 Armistice with Germany on 11 November.

The squadron returned to the United States in June 1919 and became part of the permanent United States Army Air Service in 1921, being re-designated as the 8th Squadron (Surveillance).

The current United States Air Force unit which holds its lineage and history is the 8th Special Operations Squadron, assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida.