As the Air Force's largest operational wing and only intelligence wing, it has people or equipment on every continent except Antarctica. The wing is composed of five intelligence groups, 35 squadrons and detachments and more than 8,000 people serving at some 100 locations around the world to provide information to today's leaders to help shape global events.
The 67th IW's distinguished legacy goes back more than 50 years. Throughout its existence, the wing has compiled an illustrious record in combat and peace.
The 67th IW traces its heritage to the activation of the 67th Observation Group on Sept. 1, 1941, at Esler Field, La., during the tense days before the United States became embroiled in World War II.
The World War II account of the 67th OG includes its 36 months overseas and 18 months of combat action. The group spearheaded the tactical reconnaissance effort dur-ing the D- Day Invasion of Europe and the eventual defeat of Hitler's Nazi forces. For its World War II operations, the group earned the Presidential Distinguished Unit Cita-tion, two foreign decorations, and seven campaign streamers.
The group was reorganized in May 1947, at March Field, Calif. Six months later, the 67th Reconnaissance Wing was activated as part of a service- wide, wing- base test, and the group was reassigned to the wing. Budget constraints, though, resulted in the wing's inactivation in March 1949.
Artist concept of the 67th Intelligence Wing Headquarters building. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held June 25, 1996.
By 1965, growing United States involvement in the Vietnam Conflict resulted in Tactical Air Command reac-tivating the 67th TRW Aug. 2, 1965, and eventually man-ning it by January 1966 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. The wing, while having operational commitments, conducted replacement training for RF- 4C crew members being deployed to Southeast Asia.
In September 1966, the wing's 12th Tactical Recon-naissance Squadron, transferred to the 460th Tactical Re-connaissance Wing, at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam.
As required, the 67th TRW also supported operations when crew members ferried RF- 4Cs to the theater. When U. S. forces began the drawdown from South Vietnam, the 67th TRW designation moved in July 1971, to Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, replacing the inacti-vated 75th TRW.
At Bergstrom Air Force Base, the wing still main-tained its dual mission responsibilities of an operational commitment to the European theater and a training mis-sion for RF- 4C crew members.
Since its reactivation at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, in 1965, the 67th TRW garnered six Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. The wing also earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer for its participa-tion in the evacuation of U. S. civilians from Grenada in October- November 1983.
By 1989, the demise of the Warsaw Pact signaled an end to the Cold War. It also meant reduction in forces for the U. S. military, and the transfer of the 67th TRW's training mission to George Air Force Base, Calif.
Despite the easing of East- West tensions, world peace gave way to regional conflicts. Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 led to Operation Desert Shield — the largest deployment of U. S. military forces overseas since the Vietnam Conflict. On Jan. 17, 1991, Operation Desert Storm — the libera-tion of Kuwait and defeat of Iraqi forces — began, and included a squadron of 67th TRW RF- 4Cs which were deployed to the Persian Gulf from early January to June 1991 to provide coalition forces with battlefield tactical reconnaissance.
Not long after the Gulf Conflict, the drawdown of U. S. military forces continued, and extended to the 67th Reconnaissance Wing (renamed from 67th TRW) and Bergstrom Air Force Base.
As part of the drawdown, the base was programmed for closure in 1993 concurrent with inactivation of the 67th RW. In the meantime, restructuring of Air Force intelli-gence gave the 67th RW new life.
On Oct. 1, 1993, personnel of the former Air Force Intelligence Command and 693rd Intelligence Wing formed the nucleus of the Headquarters 67th IW. The 67th IW assumed a worldwide mission with re-sponsibility for overseeing the majority of AIA field unit operations. For its accomplishments since 1993 as the largest operational wing in the Air Force, the 67th IW received its eighth and ninth Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.
The 67th IW's domain within the Air Force vision resides in the ability to execute information operations — the capability to gain, exploit attack and defend information.
Five groups and more than 30 squadrons around the world report to the wing, carrying out information opera-tions to augment warfighting commands and national decision makers.
The 67th IW executes AIA's global mission. Specifi-cally stated, the mission of the wing is to conduct Infor-mation Operations. The wing directs planning of multi- source electronic combat services, information warfare and communica-tions security. It assists the Air Force components in the development of air- power concepts, conducting exercises and employment of AIA forces in contingencies, low-intensity conflict, counterdrug activities and special operations . The wing executes information operations geographi-cally through its five groups and 31 squadrons located in the continental United States, Germany and Hawaii.
One component of the 67th IW is the 67th Intelligence Group, located at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. The group tailors multi- source intelligence, electronic warfare and communications security products for national decision makers and Air Combat Command. The group also participates with Air Force Special Operations Command, providing customized intelligence products for their missions. Another group in the continental United States is the 694th Intelligence Group, located at Fort George G. Meade, Md. The 694th IG executes information operations by con-ducting command and control warfare, electronic combat, securities and information warfare operations. The 694th IG also provides personnel and logistical support to Na-tional Security Agency to fulfill its mission. The 543rd Intelligence Group is based in the Continen-tal United States, located at the Medina Annex, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and is a unique group within the wing. Organized according to mission, rather than by geography, the 543rd IG has two squadrons within the Continental United States which are part of Regional SIGINT Operations Centers. Providing command and control, personnel, commu-nications, computer and logistics support for all Regional SIGINT Operations Centers conducting information op-erations, the 543rd IG provides timely and accurate multi-regional SIGINT to warfighters and other intelligence users.
Providing intelligence in the European theater is the 26th Intelligence Group. Located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, the 26th IG is a multidisciplined information operations organization building and maintaining the In-formation Warfare weapons for the European theater. As AIA's sole component in Europe, the 26th IG is a unique asset with peacetime, exercise and wartime opera-tional roles in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The group actively participates with the U. S. Air Forces in Europe, United States European Command, U. S. Naval Forces Europe, North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other agencies, allowing them to address their secu-rity needs. The 692nd Intelligence Group located at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, provides Information Operations expertise to Pacific warfighters and national decision makers.
The 692nd IG is responsible for all areas of traditional intelligence work, information operations and computer and communications security assessments for the Pacific. Units are scattered from Alaska to Australia, Hawaii to Thailand and many points between.
The group is a multidisciplined information opera-tions organization building and maintaining the Informa-tion Warfare weapons for the European theater. The groups' airborne and ground- based personnel exploit and defend the information superhighways, de-velop and disseminate scientific and technical intelligence and provide a realistic training environment for the com-bat planners and decision makers for the European theater.
Conducts information operations by providing tai-lored, multi- disciplined intelligence products to U. S. and allied warfighters. Evaluates and disseminates informa-tion on foreign weapons and technology. Analyzes adver-sary weapons and tactics. Provides cryptologic support, communications/ computer security services and aircrew electronic combat training.
The 402nd IS is a cryptologic community leader for the 21st century. As an information operations laboratory, the 402nd is increasingly called on to initiate devel-opment in a variety of disciplines, such as Global Network Intelligence exploitation. Provides the capabilities to protect national security command and control, communications and computers systems information to include threat assessment, techni-cal security, research and development, evaluation, acquisition deployment and user support functions for Depart-ment of Defense and other federal agencies.
Advises USEUCOM, USAFE and NATO on integra-tion into war planning.
Provides 24- hours- a- day signals processing support to a Headquarters U. S. Air Force information processing system. Directly supports NATO, U. S. European Command, United States Air Forces in Europe and other national organizations.
Responsible for processing, analyzing and reporting intelligence on a wide range of national security concerns. Supports military contingency planning, joint exercises and deployed forces.
Directs 67th IW all- source intelligence, electronic com-bat and security support planning. Assists air components in developing concepts to exercise and employ AIA forces in low intensity conflict, counterdrug and special operations. Oversees AIA's CONUS field intelligence activities.
The 10th IS is operationally subordinate to the 9th Air Force through the commander, 609th AIG, Shaw Air Force Base, SC. The 10th operates specialized intelligence and communications segments of the Contingency Air-borne Reconnaissance System and provides 24- hour near real- time correlated intelligence products to warfighting command elements in peace, crisis and war. Executes logistics planning, maintenance, and supply functions for CARS.
Integrates all- source intelligence, electronic combat, and securities for Special Operations Forces mission plan-ning, rehearsal and execution. As one of Air Force's first "information warfare squad-rons", the 25th provides services relating to each subset of information warfare— attack, exploit and protect — applied by AFSOC in its worldwide missions. Deploys and maintains programs to support worldwide SOF contingency operations.
Trains and deploys aircrew members to provide tactical support onboard all AFSOC aircraft.
Deploys communications security support according to OPLAN tasking and contingencies.
Assigned to support the Contingency Airborne Re-connaissance System Deployable Ground Station Two for worldwide multi- source intelligence collection and dissemination.
The 48th IS is operationally subordinate to Air Combat Command's 612th Air Intelligence Group. The 48th operates specialized intelligence and com-munications segments of the Contingency Airborne Reconnaissance System and provides 24- hour near real- time correlated intelligence products to warfighting command elements in peace, crisis and war. Executes logistics planning, maintenance, and supply functions for CARS.
Directly supports the Air Force in advanced signals research and development. Provides logistic support to AIA ground and airborne support equipment and phase maintenance on major airborne weapons systems.
Maintains tactical Air Force personnel in a ready posture to augment RC- 135 Rivet Joint and Contingency Airborne Reconnaissance System units or special opera-tions aircraft whenever and wherever these assets may be needed.
Responsible for national and direct support of CINC and component intelligence needs in the SOUTHCOM and USACOM AORS. Provides RSOC and co- located units with personnel, maintenance, communication systems, planning, programming, budgeting and facilities management.
The 692nd IG is responsible for all areas of traditional intelligence work, information operations and computer and communications security assessments in the Pacific.
Provides specialized support to 5th Air Force. Maintains readiness to respond during contingencies world-wide. Provides expert tactics analysis for the Far East Tactics and Adversary Studies Element.
Performs communications support, vulnerability studies and electronic combat training for U. S. and allied forces. Controls resources of over $30 million in electronic equipment.
Supplies direct threat warning, provides intelligence expertise and Defense Special Security Communications System service, conducts Air Force intelligence specialty testing and provides special security officer services.
Provides intelligence communications and logistics support for time- critical combat information for U. S. and allied battle commanders, unified and specified commands, and National Command Authorities.
Provides administrative and recreational support to Joint Service personnel assigned to the NSA.
Conducts operational intelligence threat collection and assessment, technical security support, research and development, training, evaluation, acquisition, deployment and other user support functions for DOD and all national consumers.
Provides warning support to operationally- tasked air-craft. Supports joint field training exercises as well as command post exercises. Provides trained technicians in support of U. S. de-ployments to support national objectives.
JTF- SWA performs the Operation Southern Watch mis-sion of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Southern Iraq using Air Forces deployed to the Arabian gulf region by the U. S. Navy, the U. S. Air Force, the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and the French Air Force.
The role of the coalition forces is to monitor compli-ance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 688.