36th Intelligence Squadron

"28th Reconnaissance Squadron" redirects here. For the 28th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), see 418th Flight Test Squadron.
36th Intelligence Squadron

Emblem of the 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
Active 1942–1946; 1990-Present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Decorations Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Insignia
36th Intelligence Squadron Emblem.

The 36th Intelligence Squadron is an active non-flying squadron, of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the Air Force Targeting Center at Langley AFB, Virginia, where it has been stationed since 1990. The squadron has earned the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award while stationed at Langley.

During World War II the squadron served in the Pacific as the 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron The squadron earned the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its combat operations during the Liberation of the Philippines in 1944–1945.

History

The squadron was first activated in the summer of 1942 as the 28th Observation Squadron, one of the squadrons of the 73d Observation Group at Godman Field, Kentucky, where it was equipped with the Bell P-39 Airacobra.[1] The squadron engaged in training activities including the Tennessee maneuvers of 1943.[2]

During World War II, the squadron operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater, providing aerial reconnaissance and intelligence information over a wide area of the theater in numerous campaigns. In 1945, it performed reconnaissance missions over Formosa as well as the Philippines.[3] The squadron earned the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its combat operations during the Liberation of the Philippines in 1944–1945. Following the Japanese surrender the squadron moved to Japan, briefly serving as part of the occupation forces, but returned to the Philippines at the end of 1945 and was inactivated in 1946.[1]

The squadron was reactivated as an intelligence unit supporting Tactical Air Command (TAC) in 1990. When Air Combat Command replaced TAC in 1992, the 36th was transferred along with its parent group.[4] In February 2008, it was reassigned to the Air Combat Command Targeting and Intelligence Group. Although much of its history remains classified, it has won numerous awards for its performance.

Lineage

Activated on 17 July 1942
Redesignated: 28th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 2 April 1943
Redesignated: 28th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 August 1943
Redesignated: 36th Photographic Mapping Squadron on 9 October 1943
Redesignated: 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 29 March 1944
Inactivated on 20 February 1946[5]
Redesignated 36th Air Intelligence Squadron on 1 November 1991
Redesignated 36th Intelligence Squadron on 1 October 1993[4]

Assignments
  • 6th Photographic (later Reconnaissance) Group, 23 December 1944
  • Seventh Air Force, 20 October 1945
  • V Fighter Command, 29 November 1945
  • Far East Air Forces (later Pacific Air Command, US Army), 3 December 1945 – 20 February 1946[5]
  • 480th Tactical Intelligence Group (later 480th Air Intelligence Group, 480th Intelligence Group), 1 September 1990[4]
  • Air Combat Command Targeting and Intelligence Group (later Air Force Targeting Center), 2 June 2008 – Present[6]

Stations

Aircraft

Attack and Bomber Aircraft

Fighter Aircraft

Observation and Liaison Aircraft

Awards and Campaigns

Award streamer Award Dates Notes
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award1 June 2004 - 31 May 200636th Intelligence Squadron[4]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award1 June 2006 - 31 May 200736th Intelligence Squadron[4]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device1 June 2002 - 31 May 200336th Intelligence Squadron[4]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 September 1990 - 31 December 199136th Tactical Intelligence Squadron (later 36th Air Intelligence Squadron)[4]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 January 1992 - 30 September 199336th Air Intelligence Squadron[4]
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award1 October 1993 - 30 September 199536th Intelligence Squadron[4]
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation17 October 1944 - 4 July 194536th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[4]

Manual campaign table

Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
American Theater 28th Observation Squadron (later 36th Photographic Mapping Squadron)[1]
New Guinea 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
Western Pacific 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
Luzon 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
Southern Philippines 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
China Offensive 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. p. 173. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
  2. ↑ Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. p. 50. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
  3. ↑ Abstract, History 36th Photo Recce Sq Apr 1945 (retrieved July 15, 2013)
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Butler, William M., AFHRA Factsheet , 36th Intelligence Squadron 11/9/2010 (retrieved July 15, 2013)
  5. 1 2 3 4 Lineage, assignments, stations, and aircraft through 1946 in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 173
  6. ↑ Air Force Organization Change Status Report, June 2008, Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

External links

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