318th Cyberspace Operations Group

318th Cyberspace Operations Group
Active	1943–1945; 2000–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Information Operations
Part of	Air Force Space Command
Garrison/HQ	Lackland AFB, Texas
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Insignia
318th Cyberspace Operations Group emblem (approved 1 August 2011)[1]

The United States Air Force's 318th Cyberspace Operations Group is a United States Air Force information operations unit located at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.

Mission

The mission of the 318 Group is to be an information warfare group, training and integrating advanced tactics, technologies, and tools arming America's warfighters with decisive information warfare combat power.^[2]

History

The 318 Cyberspace Operations Group was originally constituted as the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group on 15 September 1943 and activated on 1 October 1943. Unit personnel were trained to provide photographic intelligence for air and ground forces. Moving to India in February 1944, the unit was equipped with F5, F6, F7 and P40 aircraft to conduct photographic reconnaissance, photographic mapping, and visual reconnaissance missions. Products created ranged from maps, mosaics, terrain models, to target charts of areas in Burma, China, French Indochina, and Thailand. Personnel also bombed and strafed enemy installations and provided escort for bombardment units, since the photographic aircraft were dual-capable as bombers.

Redesignated the 8th Reconnaissance Group in June 1945. Returned to the US, October – November 1945. Inactivated on 5 November 1945. Disbanded on 6 March 1947.^[1]

In 1985, this Group was reconstituted and redesignated the 318th Electronic Warfare Group, but was never active under that designation.

Reactivated in 2000, the unit took the lead in developing information operations techniques, tactics and procedures for use by the combat air forces and other agencies.

Lineage

• Constituted ad the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group on 15 September 1943

Activated on 1 October 1943

• Redesignated 8th Photographic Group, Reconnaissance on 9 October 1943
• Redesignated 8th Reconnaissance Group on15 June 1945

Inacivated on 5 November 1945

• Disbanded on 6 March 1947
• Reconstituted and redesignated 318th Electronic Warfare Group on 31 July 1985
• Redesignated 318th Information Operations Group on 17 July 2000

Activated on 1 August 2000

• Redesignated 318th Cyberspace Operations Group on 13 September 2013^[1]

Assignments

• III Reconnaissance Command, 1 October 1943
• 89th Reconnaissance Training Wing, 27 October 1943
• Tenth Air Force, c. 31 March 1944
• Army Air Forces, India-Burma Sector, China-Burma-India Theater (later Army Air Forces, India-Burma Theater, 18 July 1944
• Army Service Forces, Port of Embarkation, c. 8 October - 5 November 1945
• Air Force Information Operations Center (later 688th Information Operations Wing, 688th Cyberspace Wing), 1 August 2000 - present^[1]

Components

• 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 25 Apr 1944 – Oct 1945^[1]
• 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron; 25 Apr 1944 – Oct 1945^[1]
• 23d Information Operations Squadron (1 Aug 2000 – present)
• 24th Combat Mapping Squadron, 25 Apr 1944 – Sep 1945^[1]
• 39th Information Operations Squadron: 1 Aug 2000 – present^[3]
• 40th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron: 18 Jul 1944 – Nov 1945^[1]
• 90th Cyberspace Operations Squadron: 18 Aug 2009 – present^[4]
• 92nd Cyberspace Operations Squadron: 1 Aug 2000 – present
• 346th Test Squadron: 1 Aug 2000 – present

Bases stationed

• Peterson Field, Colorado, 1 October 1943
• Gainesville Army Air Field, Texas, 26 October 1943 – 12 February 1944
• Worli, India, 31 March 1944
• Bally Seaplane Base, India, 15 Apr 1944 – 7 October 1945
• Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 3 – 5 November 1945)
• Lackland Air Force Base (later Joint Base San Antonio), Texas, 1 August 2000 - present^[1]

Aircraft

• F-6 (1945)
• F-7 (1944–1945)
• F-5 (1944–1945)
• P-40 (1943–1945)

See also

• 8th Air Force
• 67th Network Warfare Wing

References

1. Lacomia, John M. (September 22, 2015). "Factsheet 318 Cyberspace Operations Group (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved November 4, 2015.
2. 318th Information Operations Group Factsheet, n.d.
3. AFSOC Public Affairs: 39th Information Operations Squadron factsheet, n.d.
4. 90 Information Operations Squadron (AFSPC) Fact Sheet

External links