70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing | |
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70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing Emblem
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Active | 1941–1943, 1947–1949, 1955–1962, 1963–1969, 1994–1998, 2000-present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Type | Wing |
Role | Intelligence |
Part of | Twenty-Fifth Air Force |
Garrison/HQ | Fort George G. Meade, Maryland |
Nickname(s) | America's Cryptologic Wing |
Motto(s) | We Watch Out for You (WW II) Strength Through Unity (1964-present) |
Decorations | AFOUA |
Commanders | |
Current commander |
Colonel Thomas K. Hensley |
The 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing (70th ISR Wing) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Twenty-Fifth Air Force. It is stationed at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
Known as "America's Cryptologic Wing", is the only Air Force wing that supports the National Security Agency, the Twenty-Fifth Air Force, and the entire United States Air Force with cryptologic intelligence.
The 70th Reconnaissance Group conducted observation, artillery adjustment and fighter and bomber support training with United States Army ground forces during World War II. The group served as a reserve unit for two years later in the decade. During the Cold War, the 70th was a component wing of Strategic Air Command's (SAC) deterrent force as a strategic reconnaissance organization and heavy bombardment wing.
To provide multi-source, multi-service intelligence products for the Department of Defense (DoD) by gaining and exploiting information as a major component of the Air Force and DoD global intelligence mission.
The wing has six groups, 19 squadrons, 10 detachments and 26 operating locations spanning four continents. The wing falls under the Twenty-Fifth Air Force at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The 70th ISR Wing trains and equips cryptologic and information operations specialists to carry out Air Force ISR Agency and National Security Agency joint-service operations.
The 70th ISR Wing has its origins in the World War II 70th Reconnaissance Group, which was activated at Gray Army Airfield in September 1941. The 70th Reconnaissance Group was originally a Fourth Air Force training unit in observation and artillery adjustment, supporting Army ground units at Fort Lewis. After the Pearl Harbor Attack, the unit began antisubmarine patrols along the Pacific Coast, and provided support to II Bomber Command heavy bomber training units. It was largely unmanned after August 1943 when the United States Navy took over antisubmarine duty.