1968 - 1969
On January 26, 1968, the Pueblo Crisis off the coast of North Korea precipitated the recall to federal service of the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Shewmaker Air National Guard Base in Louisville. Wing Headquarters and an enlarged 165th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron were moved to Richards Gebaur Air Force Base near Kansas City, Missouri, in July 1968
During this call-up, the 123rd units flew approximately 20,000 tactical flying hours and delivered almost 320,000 reconnaissance prints to requesting agencies. The command was deployed on important missions to the Panama Canal Zone, the Alaskan Air Command and to Itazuke Air Base, Japan. Assigned personnel served on active duty for 16 months and returned to state service on June 8, 1969. Performance during that period attained the unit its first Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA).
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