A detailed and pictoral history of the USAF Intelligence Mission from its inception in October 1948 through the year 2010. This 6th editition of the publication covers the following USAF Intel Commands -

1948-1979   USAFSS 1979-1991   ESC 1991-1993   AFIC

1993-2007   AIA 2007-____   AF ISR Agency

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For decades, the real history of USAFSS Command, ESC, AFIC, and AIA, and the AF ISR Agency have been hidden behind a necessary curtain of security.

This document details activities in 1948 and 1949. It explains how the early Security Service pioneers established and built their new command to execute a two-fold mission - to provide communications security and to be the cryptologic arm of the new Air Force. The reader will learn how the fledgling USAFSS overcame its many early challenges.

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Note - Due to the size of this document, it has been compressed to optimize online access. The original, uncompressed version of the document is available for download HERE.

In early 1953, 1st RSM formally relocated from Johnson AB (formerly known as Irumagawa) to Misawa AB. But, during the final years of World War II, 1st RSM had been working its way up from New Guinea, through the Philippine Islands and Okinawa to Japan while conducting intelligence operations.

This carefully assembled and annotated photo album reflects those unsung heroes who served in the Pacific.

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Note - Due to the size of this document, it has been compressed to optimize online access. The original, uncompressed version of the document is available for download HERE.

So, where did the 1st RSM come from? It was born from the 138th Signal Radio Intelligence Company which was activated and assigned to the Second Air Force at Fort George Wright, WA. The unit was trained for their eventual deployment to the South Pacific to perform signals intelligence operations under the control of the Fifth Air Force. They first deployed to Brisbane, Australia in June, 1943, then departed for New Guinea in August. Their history was recorded in a handwritten document which is included in this document.

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Note - Due to the size of this document, it has been compressed to optimize online access. The original, uncompressed version of the document is available for download HERE.

How much do you know about the command shields under which we served? This brief document covers the symbolism of the USAFSS shield, and the evolution that took place with the command shields that followed.

Authored by SMSgt. James S. Duncan while a student attending the Senior NCO Academy circa 1997, this student paper depicts the USAF Security Service as having been a major Air Force command unlike any other in many respects. He observes that, among other unique attributes, USAFSS was manned by a close knit group of highly trained and experienced enlisted personnel.

Authored by SMSgt. James M. Houle in February 1996 as a student attending the Senior NCO Academy, the paper provides the history and background of Morse code, its development, and its use by the military. It also addresses USAFSS personnel who specialized in Morse, their assignment locations, and the hardships they encountered.

This document, developed and maintained by Red Barthel, is a work in progress that records the evolution of early USAFSS units deployed around the globe, their unit designations, relocations, and their detachments. Where possible, dates are pinpointed and footnotes provide detail.     NOTE - If you have corrections or updates regarding this document, please contact Red Barthel with your information.

NSA 50th Anniversary   A recap of the National Security Agency's history between 1952 and 2002 as they marked their 50th anniversary. This 26-page publication covers the history of and need for codemakers and codebreakers in America through the Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Postwar and Cold War Periods, Vietnam and Desert Storm.

NSA Document Archives   NSA periodically declassifies their internal documents. Those listed here were provided in response to numerous requests received by NSA on the various subjects stated and for which there appears to be a general interest.