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694th ISS activated in support of 480th ISR Wing

  • Published
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The 694th Intelligence Support Squadron was activated in a ceremony here June 4.

The squadron is part of the 694th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group and was one of three squadrons to be activated under the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

The activation of the squadrons standardizes the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System that used to fall under three separate Air Force commands.

The configuration is the latest step in the ISR transformation that began when then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley signed a memo Jan. 14, 2008, directing the transformation of Air Force ISR.

Maj. James Cropper, 694th ISS commander, spoke about the significance of the combined capabilities.

"We are on the precipice of truly using cyberspace and ISR together in ways never imagined," said Major Cropper. "In the last two years we have increased our mission roles and capabilities dramatically. We are now capable of supporting the newest [remotely piloted vehicles], integrating with other [combat theaters] in real time and improving our coordination ... for the current and future fight."

The other new units are the 792nd Intelligence Support Squadron, which is assigned to the 692nd ISR Group at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, and the 693rd Intelligence Support Squadron, which is assigned to the 693rd ISR Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

All three squadrons held their activation ceremonies and passed the guidon in front of friends, family and Airmen.

At a ceremony in Hawaii to commemorate the event, the commander of the newly-activated 792nd ISS talked to squadron personnel about the bright future ahead.

"Today is a very monumental and exciting day because we have built this squadron, and we should be very proud of our achievement," said Lt. Col. Ramona Fulkerson. "As we grow in size over the next two years, the 792nd ISS will continue to expand our outstanding support of Pacific Theater missions."

More than 7,000 miles away in Germany, Lt. Col. Jason Winslow, commander of the 693rd ISS, spoke to his audience about the daunting challenge of standing up a new unit and how the hard work of his people ensured they are ready to deliver intelligence capabilities and maintenance support.

"Today, the ISS stands ready to prosecute Air Force and joint ISR operations, supporting and sustaining the fight against terrorism, all while feeding the insatiable appetite for intelligence that our nation requires," said Colonel Winslow. "The task is tough, but we stand ready, shoulder-to-shoulder with our intelligence brothers and sisters, fusing communications and intelligence in the cyberspace era to effectively utilize our shrinking forces."

(Original story by Marge McGlinn, 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs. Localized by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Foster, 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs)