33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron

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The 33rd's mission, as the USAF's lone network warfare squadron dedicated to Air Force network defense, is to execute all aspects of AF network defense as an element of the distributed AF Network Operations Center. The squadron monitors, secures, and protects Air Force and Central Command global networks, ensures network integrity, reliability, availability, and confidentiality and responds to hostile network threats and attacks.

The squadron was established in mid-1943 as the 70th Reconnaissance Squadron, a tactical reconnaissance squadron. Shortly afterwards, the squadron converted to a photographic reconnaissance unit and was redesignated the 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. It trained in the southeast United States as an element of the Third Air Force.

The squadron deployed to the European Theater of Operations in the spring of 1944. It was initially engaged in aerial photography of the French English Channel coastline and Low Countries. The squadron flew Lockheed F-4 and F-5 Lightnings, and North American F-6 Mustang reconnaissance aircraft supporting Allied buildup for the Normandy Invasion. It furnished vitally important photographs of the beaches and defenses on the Continent for briefing and training of assault troops. The unit's low-level missions under difficult weather and combat conditions led to the awarding of the Distinguished Unit Citation for the period of 6 through 20 May 1944. After D-Day, the squadron moved to France and performed battlefield tactical reconnaissance primarily for the Third Army, but also for First and Ninth Armies during the Northern France Campaign in 1944. The squadron moved into Germany in the spring of 1945 continuing to supply battlefield reconnaissance for Army ground forces.

After the German surrender the 31st remained as part of the United States Air Forces in Europe occupation forces, gradually drawing down during the fall of 1945 until inactivated.

The squadron was activated again in the reserves as the 31st Reconnaissance Squadron in 1947. It was redesignated the 33d Reconnaissance Squadron (apparently to avoid confusion with the regular USAF 31st Reconnaissance Squadron). The squadron never reached full strength or received aircraft before inactivation when Continental Air Command reorganized its reserve units under the wing base organization plan.

The 6933d Electronic Security Squadron was activated by Electronic Security Command in Panama at Howard Air Force Base on 1 October 1985. Starting in December 1989 and continuing into the end of the operation in 1990 the squadron conducted signals intelligence and other intelligence missions and supported Operation Just Cause in 1989–1990.Myers et al., p. 31 By 1993 the USAF was eliminating its Major Command controlled (MAJCON) (four digit) units. To preserve the heritage of the 6933d, the squadron was consolidated with the 33d Reconnaissance Squadron as the 33rd Intelligence Squadron. It continued to provide intelligence support in Panama until inactivating on 30 June 1996.

The squadron was again activated on 1 August 2000 as the 33rd Information Operations Squadron at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. It conducted information operations and after 5 July 2005, network defense operations. It was redesignated the 33rd Network Warfare Squadron in July 2007 and the 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron in 2022.

33rd Reconnaissance Squadron

• Constituted as the 70th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 15 June 1943

: Activated on 20 June 1943.

: Redesignated 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 August 1943

: Inactivated on 22 Nov 1945

• Redesignated 31st Reconnaissance Squadron (Night Photographic) on 5 September 1947

: Activated in the reserve on 13 November 1947

: Redesignated 33rd Reconnaissance Squadron (Night Photographic) on 25 November 1947

: Inactivated on 27 June 1949

• Consolidated on 1 October 1993 with the 6933rd Electronic Security Squadron as the 33rd Intelligence Squadron

33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron

• Designated as the 6933rd Electronic Security Squadron and activated on 1 October 1985
• Consolidated on 1 October 1993 with the 33rd Reconnaissance Squadron as the 33d Intelligence Squadron

: Inactivated 30 June 1996

• Redesignated 33rd Information Operations Squadron

: Activated on 1 August 2000

: Redesignated 33rd Network Warfare Squadron on 26 July 2007

: Redesignated 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron on 6 July 2022

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• 76th Reconnaissance Group, 20 June 1943
• III Reconnaissance Command, 11 August 1943
• 10th Photographic Group (later 10th Reconnaissance Group), 31 March 1944 - 22 November 1945
• 74th Reconnaissance Group, 13 November 1947 - 27 June 1949
• 6940th Electronic Security Wing, 1 October 1985
• Continental Electronic Security Division, 1 April 1987

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• 694th Electronic Security Wing, 1 July 1988
• Continental Electronic Security Division, 1 Jan 1981
• 693d Intelligence Wing, 1 October 1991
• 67th Intelligence Group, 1 October 1993 - 30 June 1996
• 67th Information Operations Group (later 67th Network Warfare Group), 1 August 2000
• 26th Network Operations Group (later 26th Cyberspace Operations Group), 26 July 2007 – present

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• Morris Field, North Carolina, 20 June 1943
• Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma, 29 October 1943 - 11 February 1944
• RAF Chalgrove (AAF-465),Station number in Anderson, p. 31. England, 23 March 1944
• Rennes-St-Jacques Airfield (A-27),Station number in Johnson, p. 16. France, 18 August 1944
• Châteaudun Airfield (A-39),Station number in Johnson, p. 17. France, 27 August 1944
• Saint-Dizier Airfield (A-64),Station number in Johnson, p. 20. France, 12 September 1944
• Conflans-en-Jarnisy Airfield (A-94),Station number in Johnson, p. 50. France, 29 November 1944

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• Trier/Euren Airfield (Y-57),Station number in Johnson, p. 54. 28 March 1945
• Ober Olm Airfield (Y-64),Station number in Johnson, p. 67. Germany, 5 April 1945
• Fürth Airfield (later AAF Station Fürth) (R-28),Station number in Johnson, p. 37. Germany, 30 April 1945 - 22 November 1945
• Mitchel Field (later Mitchel Air Force Base), New York, 13 November 1947 - 27 June 1949
• Howard Air Base, Panama, 1 October 1985 - 30 June 1996
• Kelly Air Force Base (Later Lackland Air Force Base - Kelly Annex, Joint Base San Antonio), Texas, 1 August 2000 – present

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• Lockheed F-5 Lightning, 1943–1945
• Lockheed F-4 Lightning, 1943–1944
• North American F-6 Mustang, 1945

{{unit awards table

|award_image1=AF PUC

|award_name1=Distinguished Unit Citation

|award_date1=6 May 1944 - 20 May 1944

|award_notes1=France 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron

|award_image2=AF OUA w/ v

|award_name2=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" Device

|award_date2=1 June 2002 - 30 May 2003

|award_notes2=33rd Information Operations Squadron

|award_image3=AF OUA w/ v

|award_name3=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" Device

|award_date3=1 October 2010 – 30 September 2012

|award_notes3=33rd Network Warfare Squadron

|award_image4=AF MUA

|award_name4=Air Force Meritorious Unit Award

|award_date4=17 July 2018 – 31 May 2019

|award_notes4=33rd Network Warfare Squadron

|award_image5=AF OUA

|award_name5=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date5=1 July 1986 - 30 June 1988

|award_notes5=6933rd Electronic Security Squadron

|award_image6=AF OUA

|award_name6=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date6=20 December 1989 - 14 February 1991

|award_notes6=6933rd Electronic Security Squadron

|award_image7=AF OUA

|award_name7=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date7=15 February 1991 - 31 December 1991

|award_notes7=6933rd Electronic Security Squadron

|award_image8=AF OUA

|award_name8=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date8=1 October 1993 - 30 September 1994

|award_notes8=33rd Intelligence Squadron

|award_image9=AF OUA

|award_name9=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date9=1 October 1994 - 30 September 1995

|award_notes9=33rd Intelligence Squadron

|award_image10=AF OUA

|award_name10=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date10=1 August 2000 - 30 September 2000

|award_notes10=33rd Information Operations Squadron

|award_image11=AF OUA

|award_name11=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date11=1 June 2003 - 31 May 2005

|award_notes11=33rd Information Operations Squadron

|award_image12=AF OUA

|award_name12=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date12=1 June 2001 – 31 May 2002

|award_notes12=33rd Information Operations Squadron

|award_image13=AF OUA

|award_name13=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date13=1 June 2005-31 May 2007

|award_notes13=33rd Information Operations Squadron

|award_image14=AF OUA

|award_name14=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date14=1 October 2012-30 September 2013

|award_notes14=33rd Network Warfare Squadron

|award_image15=AF OUA

|award_name15=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date15=1 October 2013-30 September 2015

|award_notes15=33rd Network Warfare Squadron

|award_image16=AF OUA

|award_name16=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date16=1 October 2015-30 September 2016

|award_notes16=33rd Network Warfare Squadron

|award_image17=AF OUA

|award_name17=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date17=1 June 2019 – 31 May 2020

|award_notes17=33rd Network Warfare Squadron

|award_image18=AF OUA

|award_name18=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date18=1 June 2020 – 31 May 2021

|award_notes18=33rd Network Warfare Squadron

}}

• List of cyber warfare forces

; Explanatory notes

{{Reflist|group=note}}

; Citations

{{Reflist|40em}}

{{AFHRA}}

• {{cite book|last=Anderson |first=Capt. Barry |title=Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II |url=http://www.afhra.af.mil./shared/media/document/AFD-081010-027.pdf |access-date=July 7, 2012 |year=1985 |publisher=Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center |location=Maxwell AFB, AL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062523/http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-027.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}
• {{cite book|last=Johnson|first=1st Lt. David C.|title=U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO) D-Day to V-E Day|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-026.pdf|year=1988|publisher=Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center|location=Maxwell AFB, AL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929064443/http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-026.pdf|archive-date=2015-09-29|url-status=dead}}
• {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180455/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= December 20, 2016 |edition= reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
• {{cite book|last=Watkins|first=Robert|title=Battle Colors|volume=III Insignia and Markings of the Ninth Air Force In World War II|year=2008|publisher=Shiffer Publishing Ltd.|location=Atglen, PA|isbn=978-0-7643-2938-8}}
• {{cite book|editor1-last=Myers|editor1-first=Harold P.|editor2-last=Williamson|editor2-first=John P.|editor3-last=Marshall|editor3-first=Gabriel P.|editor4-last=Jones|editor4-first=Benjamin T.|title=Twenty-Fifth Air Force, A Continuing Legacy: Chronology 1948-2016|url= http://www.25af.af.mil/Portals/100/25AF-Chronology%208.5X11-Dec2016.pdf?ver=2017-01-09-115552-620 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072923/http://www.25af.af.mil/Portals/100/25AF-Chronology%208.5X11-Dec2016.pdf?ver=2017-01-09-115552-620 |url-status= dead |archive-date= February 5, 2018 |access-date=February 4, 2018|year= 2016|publisher=Twenty-Fifth Air Force Office of History|location=Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX}}

• [https://www.af.mil/ 37th Training Wing Public Affairs: Lackland AFB, Texas]

{{USAAF 3d Air Force World War II}}

{{USAAF 9th Air Force UK}}

{{USAF Cyber Command}}

{{USAF Space Command}}

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Category:Military units and formations in Texas