24th Intelligence Squadron

24th Intelligence Squadron
Active 1942-1945; 1992–1994; 2003–present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Role Intelligence
Part of Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ Ramstein Air Base, Germany
Engagements European Theater of Operations
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Belgian Fourragère
Insignia
24th Intelligence Squadron emblem (approved 10 October 1942)[1]

The 24th Intelligence Squadron, headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, was activated in January 2003.

Mission

The 24th Intelligence Squadron plans, directs and conducts multi-source ISR tasking, processing, exploitation and dissemination (TPED) operations in support of USAFE, USEUCOM, USAFRICOM, USCENTCOM, NATO, and Joint/Combined Force Air Component Commanders. The squadron operates two primary mission systems: Distributed Ground System (DGS-4) and Eagle Vision One.

DGS-4 is a part of the greater Distributed Common Ground System (AF DCGS), which is the Air Force's "Sentinel" weapon system (AN/GSQ-272). DGS-4 is one of five core sites executing collection, processing, exploitation and dissemination of intelligence data derived from Air Force ISR platforms including U-2 and PREDATOR UAV. DGS-4 has the unique distinction to be the only DGS involved in operations across three different commands on a recurring basis (USEUCOM, USCENTCOM and USAFRICOM).

Eagle Vision One executes collection, processing, exploitation and dissemination of Commercial Satellite Imagery (CSI). The 24th Intelligence Squadron’s Eagle Vision One is one of only five Eagle Vision systems worldwide. It is the only active duty Eagle Vision unit with its own pool of Eagle Vision imagery analysts. Eagle Vision is a deployable ground station with the capability to produce CSI and geospatial products.

History

The 24th Intelligence Squadron (IS) traces its roots back to World War II. It was constituted as the 24th Observation Squadron (Light) on 5 February 1942 and activated on 27 February 1942 under the 76th Observation (later 76th Reconnaissance) Group at Wilmington, NC. The unit was redesignated, inactivated and reactivated numerous times over the years, finally activating in its current form on 8 June 2003 as the 24 IS.

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 24th Observation Squadron (Light) on 5 February 1942
Activated on 6 March 1942
Redesignated 24th Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942
Redesignated 24th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) on 2 April 1943
Redesignated 33d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 August 1943
Inactivated on 4 October 1945
  • Redesignated 24th Air Intelligence Squadron on 1 February 1992
Activated on 11 February 1992
Inactivated on 1 December 1995
  • Redesignated 24th Intelligence Squadron on 17 December 2002
Activated on 8 January 2003[1]

Assignments

Stations

Awards and campaigns

Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
Presidential Unit CitationFrance 6–20 May 194433d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award1 June 2014-31 May 201524th Intelligence Squadron[1]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award1 June 2015-31 May 201624th Intelligence Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award11 February 1992-31 July 199324th Air Intelligence Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 January 2006-31 December 200724th Intelligence Squadron[1]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 June 2009-31 May 201124th Intelligence Squadron[1]
Belgian Fourragère[12 August-28] September 1944; [6 November]-17 December 1944; 18 December 1944-[14] January 194524th Intelligence Squadron[1]
Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
American Theater without inscription27 February 1942 – 12 April 194424 Observation Squadron (later 24th Reconnaissance Squadron, 33d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron)[1]
Air Offensive, Europe27 April 1944 – 5 June 194433d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
Normandy6 June 1944 – 24 July 194433d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
Northern France25 July 1944 – 14 September 194433d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
Rhineland15 September 1944 – 21 March 194533d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
Ardennes-Alsace16 December 1944 – 25 January 194533d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
Central Europe22 March 1944 – 21 May 194533d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]
Air Combat, EAME Theater27 April 1944 – 11 May 194533d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Bailey, Carl E. (April 6, 2017). "Factsheet 24 Intelligence Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved May 1, 2017.

Bibliography

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

  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
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