| Unit Name: | 33d Cyberspace Operations Squadron |
| Dates: | 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1985-1996; 2000-present |
| Role: | Computer Network Defense |
| Command Structure: | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison: | Lackland Air Force Base, Texas |
| Nickname: | The Mighty Griffins |
| Motto: | Command's Best |
| Battles: | European Theater of Operations |
| Decorations: | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" Device Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air force outstanding Unit Award |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron emblem[1] [2] |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | 31st Photographic Recconnaissance Squadron emblem[3] [4] |
| Identification Symbol 3: | BV |
| Identification Symbol 3 Label: | Ninth Air Force fuselage code[5] |
The United States Air Force (USAF)'s 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron is a network warfare unit located at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.
The squadron was established as the 70th Reconnaissance Squadron during World War II and saw combat in the European Theater of Operations as the 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, where it earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its efforts in preparing for the Normandy Invasion. After briefly serving as part of the occupation forces in Germany it was inactivated in late 1945.
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.
In 1985 Electronic Security Command established the 6933d Electronic Security Squadron in Panama. The squadron participated in Operation Just Cause. In 1993, as the United States Air Force (USAF) eliminated Major Command controlled (MAJCON) four digit organizations, the 6933d was consolidated with the 33rd as a single unit, the 33rd Intelligence Squadron. The squadron was inactivated as the USAF departed Panama, but was activated once again as an information operations and network warfare unit.
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 Third Air Force.[4]
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.[4] After D-Day, the squadron moved to France and performed battlefield tactical reconnaissance[4] 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.[4]
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.[4]
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.[4]
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.[6] 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.[2]
33rd Reconnaissance Squadron
Activated on 20 June 1943.
Redesignated 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 August 1943
Inactivated on 22 Nov 1945
Activated in the reserve on 13 November 1947
Redesignated 33rd Reconnaissance Squadron (Night Photographic) on 25 November 1947
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron
Inactivated 30 June 1996
Activated on 1 August 2000
Redesignated 33rd Network Warfare Squadron on 26 July 2007[2]
Redesignated 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron on 6 July 2022[2]
| Campaign Streamer | Campaign | Dates | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Offensive, Europe | 23 March 1944 – 5 June 1944 | 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| Normandy | 6 June 1944 – 24 July 1944 | 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| Northern France | 25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944 | 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| Rhineland | 15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945 | 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| Ardennes-Alsace | 16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945 | 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| Central Europe | 23 March 1944 – 21 May 1945 | 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| Air Combat, EAME Theater | 23 March 1944 – 11 May 1945 | 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron | ||
| Global War on Terror Service Medal | 11 September 2001– | 33rd Information Operations Squadron (later 33rd Network Warfare Squadron) |