25th Liaison Squadron (25th LS) "Guinea Short Lines"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group

Background
On February 5, 1942 constituted as the 25th Observation Squadron (Light). On March 2, 1942 activated in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) assigned to the 71st Observation Group at Salinas Army Air Base. On July 4, 1942 redesignated 25th Observation Squadron. On April 2, 1943 redesigned 25th Liaison Squadron (25th LS). On January 26, 1943 moves to Esler Field in Louisiana. On March 31, 1943 moves to Laurel Army Airfield in Mississippi. On October 20, 1943 departs overseas bound for Australia. On August 11, 1943 assigned to II Air Support Command, later redesignated II Tactical Air Division attached to the 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group (71st TRG).

Wartime History
On November 19, 1943 arrives Sydney and assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF). On November 24, 1942 arrives Brisbane. On November 25, 1943 assigned to 5th Bomber Command. On December 13, 1943 attached to 5212th Photographic Wing (Provisional).

On January 23, 1944 departs Australian bound for New Guinea. On February 11, 1944 arrives Lae Airfield. On February 16, 1944 moves Nadzab Airfield. In New Guinea, the squadron operates the Piper L-4 Grasshopper and Stinson L-5 Sentinel and performs liaison flights, search and rescue and other duties. Nicknamed "Guinea Short Lines" with a kangaroo motif on aircraft.

On April 16, 1944 returning from a mission in bad weather, the 5th Air Force (5th AF) suffered the largest operational loss suffered by the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) during World War II and was dubbed "Black Sunday". Although the 25th Liaison Squadron did not fly the mission, it was tasked with search and rescue duties in the subsequent days.

On April 17, 1944 the squadron begins flying search missions for downed planes and crews. At 4:00pm, a Stinson L-5 piloted by Sgt James spotted a flare fired by the pilot of A-20G "Lady C" 43-9628 and later found A-20G "Hell'N Pelican II" 42-86786. Later another L-5 arrived and photographed the A-20 at low level and dropped another note.

On September 7, 1944 moves Biak.

On June 15, 1944 became part of the Far East Air Force (FEAF).

On February 16, 1945 attached to the 13th Air Force (13th AF). On March 17, 1945 assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF).

On May 5, 1944 moves to Dulag Airfield on Leyte in the Philippines. The squadron also operrates from Tanauan Airfield.

On April 19, 1945 moves to Malabang on Mindoro. On June 22, 1945 moves to Del Monte Airfield.

Postwar
On November 1, 1945 assigned to the 403d Troop Carrier Group (403rd TCG). On November 17, 1945 returns to Dulag Airfield. On December 31, 1945 assigned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF). On January 10, 1946 moves to Clark Field.

On July 5, 1946 assigned to the 85th Fighter Wing. On March 30, 1947 assigned to the 1st Air Division. On April 22, 1947 moves to Kadena Airfield on Okinawa. On September 8, 1947 returns to Clark Field. On September 15, 1947 returned to the 13th Air Force (13th AF). and afterwards not operationally manned or equipped.

On September 18, 1947 became part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF). On December 1, 1948 assigned to the Far East Air Force (FEAF), attached to the 18th Fighter Wing. On March 25, 1949 inactivated.

References
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages 131 [PDF pages 143]

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