25 AF: New chapter in a storied legacy

by Wayne Amann
25 AF Public Affairs

9/30/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - LACKLAND, Texas -- As the Air Force's premier intelligence organization approaches its 66th Anniversary, it will mark the occasion under a new unit name and structure.

The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency is now the Twenty-Fifth Air Force, following its re-designation ceremony Sept. 29 in the headquarters Ardisana Courtyard here on Security Hill.

It's the sixth iteration of the organization which was activated as the United States Air Force Security Service in October 1948.

This latest re-designation allows 25 AF, realigned under Air Combat Command, to focus on ISR, electronic warfare, airborne national command and control, nuclear detection and treaty monitoring, targeting and analysis operations. The newest Numbered Air Force will provide decision advantage from those operations, through ACC, to joint commanders, national leaders and coalition partners.

"Placing Twenty-Fifth Air Force under ACC is all about operations effectiveness," said Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, who officiated the ceremony. "It'll be the one-stop shop for operational ISR within the Air Force, which will streamline program accuracy and presentation by the Air Force."

As the ISR force provider, ACC can ensure consistent presentation of ISR resources to warfighters.

Maj. Gen. John Shanahan, former Air Force ISR Agency commander, assumed command of 25 AF and presided over the re-alignment of the 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, Calif., from 12 AF to 25 AF.

"As we begin to write the next chapter of Air Force ISR, titled Twenty-Fifth Air Force, our legacy will become even richer and even more storied," Shanahan told the courtyard gathering.
"For the first time in Air Force history, ISR will have a 4-star leader with the mandate, force structure and resources to truly maximize the entirety of the vast Air Force ISR enterprise."

Twenty-Fifth Air Force will create an opportunity for greater operational synchronization and greater integration of Air Force ISR products and analysis for the national intelligence community.

"The men and women of Twenty-Fifth Air Force have a tremendous opportunity to shape Air Force ISR in ways I and other AFISRA commanders could only have dreamed of," said Lt. Gen. Robert Otto, Headquarters United States Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and former commander of the Air Force ISR Agency. "I know it's your hard and selfless work that has gotten us to this day. Your leadership, innovation and commitment will deliver success. It's in your DNA."

The newest NAF will also provide an organizational link to strengthen full-spectrum targeting and threat warning to Air Force and Joint Force commanders through ACC.

During the ceremony Otto and Shanahan teamed with AF ISR Agency Command Chief Master Sgt. Roger Towberman to furl the AFISRA flag which is now a permanent part of the unit's storied heritage. It joined predecessor flags representing the USAF Security Service, the Electronic Security Command, Air Force Intelligence Command and Air Intelligence Agency. Each iteration met growing mission requirements.

Through nearly seven decades its silent warriors have analyzed and exploited near real-time intelligence to provide decision advantage for combatant commanders on the ground and our Nation's leadership.

Today, 25 AF continues that commitment as it meets ever-changing global challenges.