18th Intelligence Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 18th Intelligence Squadron (18 IS) is a space control intelligence organization of the United States Air Force
, located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
.
The squadron provides, through space systems expertise, tailored intelligence to the planning, development, and execution of space control operations. The 18 IS consists of a headquarters element at Wright-Patterson AFB and two geographically separated detachments: Detachment 2, Osan AB, Korea
; and Detachment 4, RAF Feltwell
, United Kingdom
.
The 18 IS is a subordinate unit to the 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, subordinate to Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency (AFISRA), a field operating agency subordinate to the Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (HQ USAF/XOI). Through fixed and mobile sites, 18th IS provides scientific and technical collection to the NSA (National Security Agency
), AFISRA, AFMC (Air Force Materiel Command
), and 21st Space Wing
, Passive Space Surveillance (21 SW/PASS) mission. Where available, also provides limited analysis to the entities.
and as the 18th Photographic Technical Unit on 29 Jan 1945 at Key Field
, MS
. It was inactivated on 27 Dec 1945 at Bad Kissengen, Germany
. In these early years, the unit served in the United States
, France
, and Germany
. On 16 Oct 1984, the unit was redesignated the 18th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron after it was consolidated with the 68th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron, which had been activated on 10 Oct 1951 and inactivated on 10 Dec 1951 at Lockbourne AFB, OH
. The unit was redesignated the 18th Intelligence Squadron on 3 Sep 1993 and activated on 7 Sep 1993 at Falcon AFB, CO
.
Det 1, 18 IS was activated at Holloman AFB, New Mexico
in June 1995, and later moved to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
during the summer of 2000. Det 1 was the Air Intelligence Agency
's only transportable system conducting Radio Frequency phenomenology studies. Det 1 was officially deactivated on 8 June 2010 and merged with the 18th Intelligence Squadron, which itself moved from Vandenberg AFB, California
, to its current location of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
, in July of 2010. Assigned personnel provide data in support of Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, and United States Strategic Command
missions as well as information critical to the National Security Agency
and other national-level organizations.
File:18th Intel Squadron Det 1 HAFB.png|Detachment 1, 18th IS, Holloman AFB, NM
File:18th Intel Squadron Det 1 WPAFB.png|Detachment 1, 18th IS, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
File:18th Intelligence Squadron Detachment 2.png|Detachment 2, 18th IS Osan AB, Korea
File:18th Intelligence Squadron Detachment 3.png|Detachment 3, 18th IS Misawa AB, Japan
File:18th Intelligence Squadron Detachment 4.png|Detachment 4, 18th IS RAF Feltwell, UK
File:18th Intelligence Squadron Detachment 5.png|Detachment 5, 18th IS RAF Edzell, Scotland
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
The squadron provides, through space systems expertise, tailored intelligence to the planning, development, and execution of space control operations. The 18 IS consists of a headquarters element at Wright-Patterson AFB and two geographically separated detachments: Detachment 2, Osan AB, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
; and Detachment 4, RAF Feltwell
RAF Feltwell
RAF Feltwell is a Royal Air Force station in Norfolk, East Anglia that is currently used by the United States Air Forces Europe. The station is located about 10 miles west of Thetford, and is in the borough of King's Lynn at approximate Ordnance Survey grid reference .A former Second World War...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
The 18 IS is a subordinate unit to the 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, subordinate to Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency (AFISRA), a field operating agency subordinate to the Director of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (HQ USAF/XOI). Through fixed and mobile sites, 18th IS provides scientific and technical collection to the NSA (National Security Agency
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
), AFISRA, AFMC (Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. AFMC was created July 1, 1992 through the reorganization of Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command....
), and 21st Space Wing
21st Space Wing
The 21st Space Wing is a unit of the Air Force Space Command based at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The unit is tasked with the operation of early missile warning and space object detection equipment around the world in support of NORAD and USSTRATCOM through a network of command and control...
, Passive Space Surveillance (21 SW/PASS) mission. Where available, also provides limited analysis to the entities.
History
The 18th Intelligence Squadron was originally activated as the 5th Photographic Laboratory Section on 20 Oct 1943 at Will Rogers Field, OK. It was redesignated as the 5th Photographic Technical Unit on 30 Nov 1944 at Esler Field, LALá
Lá Nua was an Irish language daily newspaper based in Belfast. It was the first daily newspaper in Ireland to be published in Irish. Lá Nua belonged to the Belfast Media Group, and is sister paper of The Andersonstown News....
and as the 18th Photographic Technical Unit on 29 Jan 1945 at Key Field
Key field
A key field is a field or set of fields of a database table which together form a unique identifier for a database record . The aggregate of these fields is usually referred to simply as "the key". Key fields also define searches...
, MS
MS
MS may refer to:* Ms., an honorific title for women* Ms. , an American feminist magazine* Manuscript, a hand-written document- Geography and linguistics :* Mississippi, a state in the United States of America...
. It was inactivated on 27 Dec 1945 at Bad Kissengen, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. In these early years, the unit served in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. On 16 Oct 1984, the unit was redesignated the 18th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron after it was consolidated with the 68th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron, which had been activated on 10 Oct 1951 and inactivated on 10 Dec 1951 at Lockbourne AFB, OH
Oh
-Abbreviations:* OH-, the prefix for aircraft registered in Finland* OH, the state of Ohio* OH, the IATA abbreviation for the airline Comair* OH , hydroxyl functional group* OH− , hydroxide* •OH , hydroxyl radical...
. The unit was redesignated the 18th Intelligence Squadron on 3 Sep 1993 and activated on 7 Sep 1993 at Falcon AFB, CO
Co
CO, Co, co, .co, c/o may refer to:* Co, the chemical symbol for the element cobalt* Co., an abbreviation for Company* Carbon monoxide, the molecular formula of the toxic gas...
.
Det 1, 18 IS was activated at Holloman AFB, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
in June 1995, and later moved to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
during the summer of 2000. Det 1 was the Air Intelligence Agency
Air Intelligence Agency
-External links:* * * *...
's only transportable system conducting Radio Frequency phenomenology studies. Det 1 was officially deactivated on 8 June 2010 and merged with the 18th Intelligence Squadron, which itself moved from Vandenberg AFB, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, to its current location of Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, in July of 2010. Assigned personnel provide data in support of Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency, National Air and Space Intelligence Center, and United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Department of Defense . The Command, including components, employs more than 2,700 people, representing all four services, including DoD civilians and contractors, who oversee the command's operationally...
missions as well as information critical to the National Security Agency
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
and other national-level organizations.
Major command
- Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency (2007–present)
- Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(2001–2007) - Air Intelligence AgencyAir Intelligence Agency-External links:* * * *...
(1993–2001)
Assignments
- 544th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group (7th Sep 1993–present)
- 693d Intelligence Wing (Oct 1991-7 Sep 1993)
- Continental Electronic Security Division (1 Jan 1991-Oct 1991)
- Space Electronic Security Division (1988–1991)
- 6940th Electronic Security Wing (Sep 1986-1988)
Previous designations
- 18th Intelligence Squadron (1993–Present)
- Det 5, 693d Intelligence Wing
- Det 5, HQ Continental Electronic Security Division
- Det 3, Space Electronic Security Division
- 18th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron (16 Oct 1984-???)
- 68th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron (10 Oct 1951-10 Dec 1951)
- 18th Photographic Technical Unit (29 Jan 1945-27 Dec 1945)
- 5th Photographic Technical Unit (30 Nov 1944-29 Jan 1945)
- 5th Photographic Laboratory Section (20 Oct 1943-30 Nov 1944)
Subordinate units
- 18th IS, Detachment 1 - Wright-Patterson AFB, OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
7 Sep 1993- (originally activated at Griffiss AFB, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on 7 Sep 1993, relocated to Holloman AFB, New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
on 31 Aug 2000)-8 June 2010 - 18th IS, Detachment 2 - Osan AB, Republic of Korea (1 Jan 1994–Present)
- 18th IS, Detachment 3 - Misawa AB, JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(1 Jan 1994-30 Jun 2002) - 18th IS, Detachment 4 - RAF FeltwellRAF FeltwellRAF Feltwell is a Royal Air Force station in Norfolk, East Anglia that is currently used by the United States Air Forces Europe. The station is located about 10 miles west of Thetford, and is in the borough of King's Lynn at approximate Ordnance Survey grid reference .A former Second World War...
, United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(1 Jan 1994–Present) - 18th IS, Detachment 5 - RAF Edzell, ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
(1 Jan 1994 - 31 Dec 1996) - 18th IS, Detachment 6 - Holloman AFB, New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
(1 Apr 1995-15 Jun 1995); redesignated as 18 IS, Detachment 1 on 15 Jun 1995
Locations
- Wright-Patterson AFB, OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
(June 2010-Present) - Vandenberg AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(???-June 2010) - Falcon AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
(7 Sep 1993-???) - Lockbourne AFB, OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
(10 Oct 1951-10 Dec 1951) - Bad Kissingen, Germany (5 Dec 1945-27 Dec 1945)
- Darmstadt, Germany (19 Sep 1945-5 Dec 1945)
- Sandhofen, Germany (13 Jul 1945-19 Sep 1945)
- Hagenau, France (3 Apr 1945-13 Jul 1945)
- Nancy, France (22 Mar 1945-3 Apr 1945)
- Key FieldKey fieldA key field is a field or set of fields of a database table which together form a unique identifier for a database record . The aggregate of these fields is usually referred to simply as "the key". Key fields also define searches...
, Mississippi (29 Jan 1945-26 Feb 1945) - Esler Field, Louisiana (8 May 1944-29 Jan 1945)
- Thermal Army Airfield, California (26 Nov 1943-8 May 1944)
- Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma (20 Oct 1943-26 Nov 1943)
Photo gallery
File:18th Intel Squadron Det 1 HAFB.png|Detachment 1, 18th IS, Holloman AFB, NM
File:18th Intel Squadron Det 1 WPAFB.png|Detachment 1, 18th IS, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
File:18th Intelligence Squadron Detachment 2.png|Detachment 2, 18th IS Osan AB, Korea
File:18th Intelligence Squadron Detachment 3.png|Detachment 3, 18th IS Misawa AB, Japan
File:18th Intelligence Squadron Detachment 4.png|Detachment 4, 18th IS RAF Feltwell, UK
File:18th Intelligence Squadron Detachment 5.png|Detachment 5, 18th IS RAF Edzell, Scotland