91 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron History Notes
Addendum to Chapter 5

Page 1 of 2 Pages

91st SRS Transition to the 6091st RS, Yokota AB
Editor's Note: As the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (SRS) evolved into the 6091st Reconnaissance Squadron (RS), it is only natural that they would adapt the spirit and intent of the original 91st emblem design in such a way as to preserve the historic elements, yet, make it distinctive to their organization and mission.

Here you see three
examples of this.

As Sergeant Gene Nelson joined the organization in early 1955, the Squadron was getting pretty well settled in. We will pick up his commentary at this point with further illustrations.
Having read your accounts of your RECON experiences, it seems that we pretty much picked up your old mission.  After flying photo recon missions for the first few months of 1955, we were assigned RB-29 #1843.  She was configured for Electric Recon, with ferry tanks in the bomb bays.  We only had three gunners (CFC, Tail, and Nose), as "RAVEN" operators were in the Left and Right Gunner's positions.  The CFC and TG manned the L & R Gunner's positions during take off and landing.
The Dusty's Demons Crew
Crew members, L to R:

Tail Gunner-A/1c. C. Tom Carter

Nose Gunner/Photo-A/1c. James Beck

CFC Gunner-S/Sgt. Gene Nelson

Radio Operator-A/1c. Ben Rafftesaeth

Flight Engineer-S/Sgt. Glenn Raloff

Radar- 1st Lt. O. T. Ted Wedholm

Navigator-Capt. R. A. Bud Bolopue

Pilot-1st Lt. M. D. Mike Valley

A/C- Capt. Clayton Dusty Cairl

Ground Crew A/1C “Barney” Byrne, (Front row, Far Left)

Crew Chief- S/Sgt. M. N. Neal Strahan (Front Row, Far Right)

Another view of RB-29 1843 with the
Dusty's Demons logo in full view.
We were constantly training new RAVEN Officers on operation of the gunnery system.  Fourteen + hours per mission was the norm.  We took off in late afternoon and returned the next morning.  Most of the missions were over the "Northern" route.  We made frequent trips to Kadena and Clark, where we flew the China and S. E. China routes.

Photo of 91st SRS RB-29, with Fuji In View, taken to commemorate transition from 91st SRS to 6091st SRS. The aircraft was flown by AC, 1st Lt. Clayton “Dusty” Cairl's crew.
We lost an engine just West of Hainan and headed for Clark. The higher fuel consumption of the remaining three had us concerned about the ability to make it.  Air Sea Rescue came out to follow us in.  One of the engines quit right before touchdown, then started back up when the nose wheel touched the runway.  We were "harassed" by "MIG's" several times, and had two near misses from missiles.  Those things sure light up the aircraft interior when they go over.

Conceptual drawing of MiG Squadron
by Philip Alexander
End of Page 1 of 2 Pages to this
Addendum to Chapter 5,
The 91st SRS Transition to the 6091st RS, Yokota AB

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