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 Air Force Base, 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.

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2012)

36th Intelligence Squadron
Active	1942–1946; 1990-Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Engagements	Southwest Pacific Theater[1]
Decorations	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation[1]
Insignia
36th Intelligence Squadron emblem
36th Photographic Mapping Squadron emblem (approved 7 March 1944)[1]

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

World War II

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.[2] The squadron engaged in training activities including the Tennessee maneuvers of 1943.[3]

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.[4] 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.[2]

Intelligence

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.[1] 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

• Constituted as the 28th Observation Squadron on 1 July 1942

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

• Redesignated 36th Tactical Intelligence Squadron and activated on 1 September 1990

Redesignated 36th Air Intelligence Squadron on 1 November 1991

Redesignated 36th Intelligence Squadron on 1 October 1993[1]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

Awards and Campaigns

Award streamer	Award	Dates	Notes
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 June 2004 - 31 May 2006	36th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Meritorious Unit Award	1 June 2006 - 31 May 2007	36th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device	1 June 2002 - 31 May 2003	36th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 September 1990 - 31 December 1991	36th Tactical Intelligence Squadron (later 36th Air Intelligence Squadron)[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 January 1992 - 30 September 1993	36th Air Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Organizational Excellence Award	1 October 1993 - 30 September 1995	36th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation	17 October 1944 - 4 July 1945	36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[1]

Manual campaign table

Campaign Streamer	Campaign	Dates	Notes
	American Theater		28th Observation Squadron (later 36th Photographic Mapping Squadron)[2]
	New Guinea		36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[2]
	Western Pacific		36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[2]
	Luzon		36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[2]
	Southern Philippines		36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[2]
	China Offensive		36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron[2]

References

Notes

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.
• 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.

External links