36th Intelligence Squadron
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.
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. The squadron engaged in training activities including the Tennessee maneuvers of 1943.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. 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.
Intelligence
The squadron was reactivated as an intelligence unit supporting Tactical Air Command in 1990. When Air Combat Command replaced TAC in 1992, the 36th was transferred along with its parent group. 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
- Redesignated 36th Tactical Intelligence Squadron and activated on 1 September 1990
Assignments
- 73d Observation Group, 17 July 1942
- 76th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 9 October 1943
- 74th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 21 October 1943
- I Tactical Air Division, 29 March 1944
- Far East Air Forces, November 1944
- Thirteenth Air Force, 2 December 1944
- Fifth Air Force, 7 December 1944
- 6th Photographic Group, 23 December 1944
- Seventh Air Force, 20 October 1945
- V Fighter Command, 29 November 1945
- Far East Air Forces, 3 December 1945 – 20 February 1946
- 480th Tactical Intelligence Group, 1 September 1990
- Air Combat Command Targeting and Intelligence Group, 2 June 2008 – present
Stations
- Godman Field, Kentucky, 17 July 1942
- Camp Campbell Army Airfield, Kentucky, 25 June 1943
- Muskogee Army Air Field Oklahoma, to April-31 October 1944
- Hollandia Airfield Complex, Netherlands East Indies, 15 December 1944
- Mokmer Airfield, Biak, Netherlands East Indies, 26 December 1944
- Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines, c. 28 April – 26 July 1945
- Motobu Airfield, Okinawa, 4 August 1945
- Chofu Airport, Japan, October 1945
- Fort William McKinley, Luzon, Philippines, December 1945 – 20 February 1946
- Langley AFB, Virginia, 1 September 1990 – Present
Aircraft
- Douglas A-20 Havoc and DB-7, 1942–1944
- Lockheed A-29 Hudson during period 1942 – 1944
- North American B-25 Mitchell, 1943–1944
- Lockheed B-34 Ventura, during period 1942 – 1944
- Lockheed P-38 Lightning, 1944, 1945.
- Bell P-39 Airacobra: 1942–1943, 1943, 1943–1944
- Republic P-43 Lancer during period 1942 – 1944
- North American P-51 Mustang during period 1942 – 1944
- Stinson L-1 Vigilant, during period 1942 – 1944
- Taylorcraft L-2, during period 1942 – 1944
- Piper L-4 Cub, during period 1942 – 1944
- North American O-47, during period 1942 – 1944
- Curtiss O-52 Owl, during period 1942 – 1944
Awards and Campaigns
| Campaign Streamer | Campaign | Dates | Notes |
| American Theater | 28th Observation Squadron | ||
| New Guinea | 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| Western Pacific | 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| Luzon | 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| Southern Philippines | 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| China Offensive | 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron |