| Unit Name: | 68th Network Warfare Squadron |
| Dates: | 1942–1955; 1977–present |
| Role: | Network warfare |
| Command Structure: | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison: | Joint Base Lackland-San Antonio, Texas |
| Colors: | Purple |
| Mascot: | Purple Dragon |
| Battles: | Global War on Terrorism[1] |
| Decorations: | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 68th Network Warfare Squadron emblem |
The 68th Network Warfare Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. It was previously designated the 68th Information Operations Squadron. Until 2011, the squadron was stationed Brooks City-Base. Due to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission all Air Force units left Brooks prior to September 2011. The 68th moved across San Antonio, Texas to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in June 2011.
The squadron emulates the role of a hostile intelligence service by collecting, analyzing, and processing Department of Defense telecommunications, including telephone, computer-to-computer, facsimile, radio, and wireless transmissions. It applies analytical processes and determines critical information potentially compromised and exploited by hostile threats. Its peacetime support focuses on identifying adverse operations security trends and practices. Its contingency and exercise support focuses on force protection. It supervises electronic system security assessment operations, including analysis of monitored friendly telecommunications. It performs analysis and reporting functions at theater level and briefs commanders at all levels of potential intelligence vulnerabilities.
The first predecessor of the squadron was activated at Drew Field, Florida in November 1942 as the 958th Signal Radio Intelligence Company, Aviation. In January 1943, it moved to the Aviation Signal Training Center at Camp Pinedale, California.[1] Its original cadre were Nisei Japanese Americans who had trained on Heigo (military) Japanese at Camp Savage, Minnesota.[2] In 1944, the unit transferred from the Signal Corps to the Air Corps, becoming the 8th Radio Squadron, Mobile.[1]
The squadron sailed to Guam aboard the in October1944.[1] [2] On Guam, it became part of a joint radio analysis group and was located in a secure Navy compound called the Joint Communications Activity. In addition to the squadron's intercept operations, squadron personnel deployed with direction finding teams to locate enemy transmitters. Teams were located on Pelau, Saipan, and Iwo Jima to be closer to low power Japanese transmitters. Starting in the spring of 1945, ten of the 8th's voice intercept operators participated in airborne reconnaissance missions aboard Consolidated B-24 Liberators. Although the squadron remained active, most personnel were withdrawn after V-J Day.[2] It returned to the United States in November 1945, initially serving in the Washington, DC area.
After the United States Air Force became a separate service, the squadron moved to Brooks Air Force Base, Texas as part of the United States Air Force Security Service. It served in the San Antonio, Texas area until inactivating in 1955. The squadron was disbanded in 1983.[1]
The second predecessor of the squadron was organized at Brooks in November 1977 as the 6906th Security Squadron. In 1993, the two squadrons were consolidated as the 68th Intelligence Squadron.[1]
Activated on 1 November 1942
Redesignated 8th Radio Squadron, Mobile (J) on 19 Feb 1944
Redesignated 8th Radio Squadron, Mobile on 14 November 1946
Inactivated on 8 May 1955
Redesignated 6906th Electronic Security Squadron on 1 August 1979
Redesignated 68th Intelligence Squadron on 1 October 1993
Redesignated 68th Information Operations Squadron on 1 August 2000