View source for 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron

{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=33d Cyberspace Operations Squadron
|image=31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Lockheed P-38J-20-LO Lightning (F-5E) 44-23450 Sexy Sail.jpg 
|image_size=300px
|caption=31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Lockheed F-5E Lightning "Sexy Sall" over Saint-Dizier Airfield.  
|dates= 1943-1945; 1947-1949; 1985-1996; 2000-present
|country={{USA}}
|branch={{air force|USA}}
|type= 
|role=Computer Network Defense
|size=
|command_structure=[[Air Combat Command]]
|current_commander= 
|garrison=[[Lackland Air Force Base]], Texas
|nickname=The Mighty Griffins{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}
|patron=
|motto=Command's Best
|colors=
|march=
|mascot=
|battles=[[European Theater of Operations]]
|decorations=[[Distinguished Unit Citation]]<br/>[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]] with [["V" Device]]<br/>[[Air Force Meritorious Unit Award]]<br/>Air force outstanding Unit Award
|anniversaries=
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=[[File:33d Information Operations Squadron.PNG|165px]]
|identification_symbol_label=33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron emblem<ref group=note>Approved 14 October 1988.</ref><ref name=33COSfacts>{{cite web |url= https://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1093611/33-cyberspace-operations-squadron-acc/ |last1=Lahue|first1=Melissa|title=Factsheet 33 Cyberspace Operations Squadron (ACC)|date=3 October 2022|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=October 7, 2018}}</ref>
|identification_symbol_2=[[File:31 Photographic Reconnaissance Sq emblem.png|165px]]
|identification_symbol_2_label=31st Photographic Recconnaissance Squadron emblem<ref group=note>Approved 30 May 1944.</ref><ref name=Maurer31PRS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', pp. 154–155</ref>
|identification_symbol_3=<big>'''BV'''</big>
|identification_symbol_3_label=Ninth Air Force fuselage code<ref>Watkins, pp. 130–131</ref>
}}

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 (aviation)|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 [[military occupation|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 Test and Evaluation Squadron|31st Reconnaissance Squadron]]).  The squadron never reached full strength or received aircraft before inactivation when [[Continental Air Command]] reorganized its reserve units under the [[Hobson Plan|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.

==Mission==
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2022}}
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 [[United States Central Command|Central Command]] global networks, ensures network integrity, reliability, availability, and confidentiality and responds to hostile network threats and attacks.

==History==
===World War II===
The [[squadron (aviation)|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]].<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>

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 P-38 Lightning|Lockheed F-4 and F-5 Lightning]]s, 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.<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>    After D-Day, the squadron moved to France and performed battlefield tactical reconnaissance<ref name=Maurer31PRS/> primarily for the [[United States Third Army|Third Army]], but also for [[First United States Army|First]] and [[Ninth United States Army|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.<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>

After the [[V-E Day|German surrender]] the 31st remained as part of the [[United States Air Forces in Europe]] [[military occupation|occupation]] forces, gradually drawing down during the fall of 1945 until inactivated.<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>

===Air Force reserve===
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 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron|31st Reconnaissance Squadron]]).  The squadron never reached full strength or received aircraft before inactivation when [[Continental Air Command]] reorganized its reserve units under the [[Hobson Plan|wing base organization]] plan.<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>

===Intelligence activities===
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.<ref>Myers ''et al.'', p. 31</ref>   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.<ref name=33COSfacts/>

==Lineage==
'''33rd Reconnaissance Squadron'''
* Constituted as the '''70th Reconnaissance Squadron''' (Fighter) on 15 June 1943
: Activated on 20 June 1943.
: Redesignated '''31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron''' on 11 August 1943
: Inactivated on 22 Nov 1945
* Redesignated '''31st Reconnaissance Squadron''' (Night Photographic) on 5 September 1947
: Activated in the reserve on 13 November 1947
: Redesignated '''33rd Reconnaissance Squadron''' (Night Photographic) on 25 November 1947
: Inactivated on 27 June 1949
* Consolidated on 1 October 1993 with the '''6933rd Electronic Security Squadron''' as the '''33rd Intelligence Squadron'''<ref name=33COSfacts/>

'''33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron'''
* Designated as the '''6933rd Electronic Security Squadron''' and activated on 1 October 1985
* Consolidated on 1 October 1993 with the '''33rd Reconnaissance Squadron''' as the '''33d Intelligence Squadron'''
: Inactivated 30 June 1996
* Redesignated '''33rd Information Operations Squadron''' 
: Activated on 1 August 2000
: Redesignated '''33rd Network Warfare Squadron''' on 26 July 2007<ref name=33COSfacts/>
: Redesignated '''33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron''' on 6 July 2022<ref name=33COSfacts/>

===Assignments===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[76th Reconnaissance Group]], 20 June 1943
* [[III Reconnaissance Command]], 11 August 1943
* [[10th Photographic Group]] (later 10th Reconnaissance Group), 31 March 1944 - 22 November 1945
* [[74th Reconnaissance Group]], 13 November 1947 - 27 June 1949
* 6940th Electronic Security Wing, 1 October 1985
* Continental Electronic Security Division, 1 April 1987
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[694th Electronic Security Wing]], 1 July 1988
* Continental Electronic Security Division, 1 Jan 1981
* [[693d Intelligence Wing]], 1 October 1991
* [[67th Intelligence Group]], 1 October 1993 - 30 June 1996
* 67th Information Operations Group (later 67th Network Warfare Group), 1 August 2000
* [[26th Network Operations Group]] (later 26th Cyberspace Operations Group), 26 July 2007 – present<ref name=33COSfacts/>
{{col-end}}

===Stations===
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[Morris Field]], North Carolina, 20 June 1943
* [[Will Rogers Field]], Oklahoma, 29 October 1943 - 11 February 1944
* [[RAF Chalgrove]] (AAF-465),<ref>Station number in Anderson, p. 31.</ref> England, 23 March 1944
* [[Rennes-St-Jacques Airfield]] (A-27),<ref>Station number in Johnson, p. 16.</ref> France, 18 August 1944
* [[Châteaudun Airfield]] (A-39),<ref>Station number in Johnson, p. 17.</ref> France, 27 August 1944
* [[Saint-Dizier Airfield]] (A-64),<ref>Station number in Johnson, p. 20.</ref> France, 12 September 1944
* [[Conflans-en-Jarnisy Airfield]] (A-94),<ref>Station number in Johnson, p. 50.</ref> France, 29 November 1944
{{Col-break|width=50%}}
* [[Trier/Euren Airfield]] (Y-57),<ref>Station number in Johnson, p. 54.</ref> 28 March 1945
* [[Ober Olm Airfield]] (Y-64),<ref>Station number in Johnson, p. 67.</ref> Germany, 5 April 1945
* [[Fürth Airfield]] (later AAF Station Fürth) (R-28),<ref>Station number in Johnson, p. 37.</ref> Germany, 30 April 1945 - 22 November 1945
* [[Mitchel Field]] (later Mitchel Air Force Base), New York, 13 November 1947 - 27 June 1949<ref name=33COSfacts/>
* [[Howard Air Base]], Panama, 1 October 1985 - 30 June 1996
* [[Kelly Air Force Base]] (Later Lackland Air Force Base - Kelly Annex, Joint Base San Antonio), Texas, 1 August 2000 – present<ref name=33COSfacts/>
{{col-end}}

===Aircraft===
* Lockheed F-5 Lightning, 1943–1945
* Lockheed F-4 Lightning, 1943–1944
* North American F-6 Mustang, 1945<ref name=33COSfacts/>

===Awards and Campaigns===
{{unit awards table
|award_image1=AF PUC
|award_name1=[[Distinguished Unit Citation]]
|award_date1=6 May 1944 - 20 May 1944
|award_notes1=France 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image2=AF OUA w/ v
|award_name2=[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]] with [["V" Device]]
|award_date2=1 June 2002 - 30 May 2003
|award_notes2=33rd Information Operations Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image3=AF OUA w/ v
|award_name3=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" Device
|award_date3=1 October 2010 – 30 September 2012
|award_notes3=33rd Network Warfare Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image4=AF MUA
|award_name4=[[Air Force Meritorious Unit Award]]
|award_date4=17 July 2018 – 31 May 2019
|award_notes4=33rd Network Warfare Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image5=AF OUA
|award_name5=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date5=1 July 1986 - 30 June 1988
|award_notes5=6933rd Electronic Security Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image6=AF OUA
|award_name6=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date6=20 December 1989 - 14 February 1991
|award_notes6=6933rd Electronic Security Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image7=AF OUA
|award_name7=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date7=15 February 1991 - 31 December 1991
|award_notes7=6933rd Electronic Security Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image8=AF OUA
|award_name8=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date8=1 October 1993 - 30 September 1994
|award_notes8=33rd Intelligence Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image9=AF OUA
|award_name9=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date9=1 October 1994 - 30 September 1995
|award_notes9=33rd Intelligence Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image10=AF OUA
|award_name10=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date10=1 August 2000 - 30 September 2000
|award_notes10=33rd Information Operations Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image11=AF OUA
|award_name11=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date11=1 June 2003 - 31 May 2005
|award_notes11=33rd Information Operations Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image12=AF OUA
|award_name12=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date12=1 June 2001 – 31 May 2002
|award_notes12=33rd Information Operations Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image13=AF OUA
|award_name13=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date13=1 June 2005-31 May 2007
|award_notes13=33rd Information Operations Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image14=AF OUA
|award_name14=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date14=1 October 2012-30 September 2013
|award_notes14=33rd Network Warfare Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image15=AF OUA
|award_name15=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date15=1 October 2013-30 September 2015 
|award_notes15=33rd Network Warfare Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image16=AF OUA
|award_name16=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date16=1 October 2015-30 September 2016 
|award_notes16=33rd Network Warfare Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image17=AF OUA
|award_name17=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date17=1 June 2019 – 31 May 2020 
|award_notes17=33rd Network Warfare Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|award_image18=AF OUA
|award_name18=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|award_date18=1 June 2020 – 31 May 2021
|award_notes18=33rd Network Warfare Squadron<ref name=33COSfacts/>
}}

{| class="wikitable"
! Campaign Streamer
! Campaign
! Dates
! Notes
|-
|[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png|200px]]||Air Offensive, Europe||23 March 1944 – 5 June 1944||31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>
|-
|[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png|200px]]||Normandy||6 June 1944 – 24 July 1944||31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>
|-
|[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png|200px]]||Northern France||25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944||31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>
|-
|[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png|200px]]||Rhineland||15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945||31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>
|-
|[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png|200px]]||Ardennes-Alsace||16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945||31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>
|-
|[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png|200px]]||Central Europe||23 March 1944 – 21 May 1945||31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>
|-
|[[File:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png|200px]]||Air Combat, EAME Theater||23 March 1944 – 11 May 1945||31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron<ref name=Maurer31PRS/>
|-
|[[Image:Streamer gwotS.PNG |200px]]||Global War on Terror Service Medal||11 September 2001–  ||33rd Information Operations Squadron (later 33rd Network Warfare Squadron)<ref name=33COSfacts/>
|}

==See also==
* [[List of cyber warfare forces]]

==References==
===Notes===
; Explanatory notes
{{Reflist|group=note}}

; Citations
{{Reflist|40em}}

===Bibliography===
{{AFHRA}}
* {{cite book|last=Anderson |first=Capt. Barry |title=Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II |url=http://www.afhra.af.mil./shared/media/document/AFD-081010-027.pdf |access-date=July 7, 2012 |year=1985 |publisher=Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center |location=Maxwell AFB, AL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062523/http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-027.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}
* {{cite book|last=Johnson|first=1st Lt. David C.|title=U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO) D-Day to V-E Day|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-026.pdf|year=1988|publisher=Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center|location=Maxwell AFB, AL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929064443/http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-026.pdf|archive-date=2015-09-29|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf |edition= reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
* {{cite book|last=Watkins|first=Robert|title=Battle Colors|volume=III Insignia and Markings of the Ninth Air Force In World War II|year=2008|publisher=Shiffer Publishing Ltd.|location=Atglen, PA|isbn=978-0-7643-2938-8}}
* {{cite book|editor1-last=Myers|editor1-first=Harold P.|editor2-last=Williamson|editor2-first=John P.|editor3-last=Marshall|editor3-first=Gabriel P.|editor4-last=Jones|editor4-first=Benjamin T.|title=Twenty-Fifth Air Force, A Continuing Legacy: Chronology 1948-2016|url= http://www.25af.af.mil/Portals/100/25AF-Chronology%208.5X11-Dec2016.pdf?ver=2017-01-09-115552-620 |access-date=February 4, 2018|year= 2016|publisher=Twenty-Fifth Air Force Office of History|location=Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090520055756/http://www.lackland.af.mil/ 37th Training Wing Public Affairs: Lackland AFB, Texas]

{{USAAF 3d Air Force World War II}}
{{USAAF 9th Air Force UK}}
{{USAF Cyber Command}}
{{USAF Space Command}}
{{US Air Force navbox}}

[[Category:Military units and formations in Texas]]