28th Intelligence Squadron

The United States Air Force's 28th Intelligence Squadron is an intelligence unit located at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The 28th Intelligence Squadron is a classic reserve associate unit supporting the 25th Intelligence Squadron conducting airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to provide threat warning to Air Force Special Operations Command. The squadron was previously active during World War II in the Pacific Theater, providing photographic support to a very heavy bomber group and in the early years of the Cold War as a photographic processing and interpretation unit for a strategic reconnaissance wing.

28th Intelligence Squadron
Pilatus U-28 Special Operations surveillance aircraft
Active1944–1946; 1950–1955; 2014–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleIntelligence
Part ofAir Force Reserve Command
Garrison/HQHurlburt Field, Florida
Motto(s)Exploit the Night
EngagementsPacific Theater[1]
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation[1]
Insignia
28th Intelligence Squadron emblem (approved 31 August 2015)[1]

Mission

The squadron is the first reserve tactical systems operator squadron. Its mission is to organize and train personnel to deliver specialized analysis directly to Air Force special operations forces, provide equipment maintenance and configuration, analysis and dissemination, airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and operational support.[2]

History

World War II

The 28th Photographic Laboratory was activated at Dalhart Army Air Field and assigned to the 501st Bombardment Group, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress unit. After training in the United States under Second Air Force the unit deployed to the Pacific Theater in April 1945, where it was stationed at Northwest Field, Guam as an element of the 315th Bombardment Wing of XXI Bomber Command.[3] The unit received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its support of the 501st Group's attacks on the Maruzen oil refinery at Shimotsu, the Utsubo oil refinery at Yokkaichi, and the petroleum center at Kawasaki.[1][4] The 28th remained on Guam after V-J Day until it was inactivated in February 1946.[1]

Cold War

The 28th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron was activated at Rapid City Air Force Base on 1 May 1950,[1] shortly after the 28th Bombardment Wing began to convert to Convair RB-36 Peacemakers as the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.[5] The squadron took part in Operation Tumbler–Snapper, atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, from 1 April to 5 June 1952 by providing aerial and ground technical and training photography and motion pictures of various operations for the Defense Nuclear Agency.[6] The squadron was inactivated in 1955[1] when the 28th Wing returned to a primary bombardment mission.[5]

Reserve associate unit

The 28th Squadron was redesignated the 28th Intelligence Squadron and activated in March 2014 as a reserve associate unit of the 25th Intelligence Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Six months later, the squadron was consolidated with the World War II photographic laboratory.[1] The squadron achieved full operational capability in April 2016.[2] Squadron operators perform their mission primarily aboard Pilatus U-28 surveillance aircraft.[7]

Lineage
28th Photographic Laboratory
  • Constituted as the 28th Photographic Laboratory, Bombardment Group, Very Heavy on 25 May 1944
Activated on 1 August 1944
Inactivated on 22 February 1946
Disbanded on 8 October 1948
Reconstituted and consolidated with the 28th Intelligence Squadron as the 28th Intelligence Squadron on 18 September 2014[1]
28th Intelligence Squadron
  • Constituted as the 28th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron on 3 March 1950
Activated on 1 May 1950
Inactivated on 15 April 1955
  • Redesignated 28th Intelligence Squadron on 19 March 2014
Activated on 17 April 2014
Consolidated with the 28th Photographic Laboratory on 18 September 2014[1]

Assignments
  • 501st Bombardment Group, 1 August 1944 – 22 February 1946
  • 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 1 May 1950 – 15 April 1955
  • 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group, 17 April 2014 – present[1]

Stations

Awards and campaigns
Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
Distinguished Unit Citation6 – 13 July 194528th Photographic Laboratory[1]
Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
Air Offensive, JapanApril 1945–2 September 194528th Photographic Laboratory[1]

References

Notes
Explanatory notes
    Citations
    1. Bailey, Carl E. (September 17, 2015). "Factsheet 28th Intelligence Squadron (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
    2. Mack, Capt Kristin (April 11, 2016). "Intel squadron achieves full operational capability". Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
    3. "Factsheet 315 Air Division". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
    4. Maurer, p. 367
    5. Ravenstein, pp. 52-54
    6. Ponton, et al., p. 106
    7. No byline (April 13, 2016). "U-28 Intel Squadron Reaches FOC". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved April 23, 2018.

    Bibliography
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