919th SOW supports newly activated reserve ISR unit

by Dan Neely
919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

9/30/2014 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla.  -- A Duke Field-supported intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance unit held a combined activation and assumption of command ceremony Sept. 24 at its new permanent home here.

In a formal ceremony that also saw installation of its inaugural commander, Air Force Reserve Command officially stood up the 28th Intelligence Squadron (the squadron's official activation order was effective April 17).

The unit operates in a Reserve classic association with Hurlburt's active-duty 25th IS and is part of the independent 655th ISR Group at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

Like Duke's 919th Special Operations Wing, the reserve squadron is a subordinate of 10th Air Force, its numbered air force headquarters at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.  It provides ISR support to Air Force Special Operations Command, and Air Force ISR Agency.

Following the ceremony's unit activation segment, Lt. Col. Joseph Marcinek received the 28th IS command guidon from his boss, Col. Douglas Drakeley, 655 ISRG commander.

Repeating a popular special operations mantra, Marcinek coached his assembled Airmen, "Moderation is for cowards.  I'm putting you on notice now.  Get ready for extremes because we've got a lot of work to do ... and the Air Force and this great country are counting on us."

According to its mission statement, the 28 IS will organize and train to deliver specialized intelligence directly to Air Force Special Operations forces.  It will deliver specialized analysis to U.S. special operations forces as integrated tactical systems operator crew members; ensure mission equipment is properly maintained, configured and loaded; and execute the National Tactical Integration mission and associated collection, analysis and dissemination for mission planning and execution via reach-back.

The squadron is still actively recruiting personnel for its more than 50 positions that include traditional (part-time) and air reserve technician (full-time) reservists in 14 different Air Force specialty codes.

"We will recruit highly motivated, proven performers with great attitudes and strive for the seamless integration of our members into the diverse mission sets of our classic associate unit, the 25th Intelligence Squadron," Marcinek said.

Drakeley and Marcinek praised the 919th SOW for its help in standing up the new unit and for agreeing to provide a wide array of continuous support, including financial management, military pay and force support functions.

"The 919th is an important partner to our Reserve unit, and our mission could not be accomplished without their support," Marcinek said.

Prior to the ceremony, Marcinek was asked how he feels his reservists will contribute to national defense.

"We will augment the AFSOC mission by supplying highly qualified airborne ISR operators, analysts and maintainers who will ultimately provide home station continuity and better dwell rates," he said.  "Reserve personnel have a unique combination of civilian and military work experience.

"We have members who are full-time engineers, managers, teachers, law enforcement, civilian pilots, employed with the Department of Homeland Security and other organizations within the government.  This allows us to provide a cost-effective, experienced force that is both professional and sustainable."

The 28th IS is the last of 11 squadrons to be activated under the 655th ISRG and the only Air Force Reserve ISR squadron within the group supporting special operations.

The squadron traces its origin to the 28th Photographic Laboratory Squadron, activated Aug. 1, 1944 at Dalhart Army Air Field, Texas as part of the 501st Bombardment Group, and the 28th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron, activated  May 1, 1950 at Rapid City (later, Ellsworth) AFB, South Dakota, as part of the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.

The 28th PLS remained active through the remainder of  World War II, participating in the Japan Air Offensive and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation before being inactivated February 22, 1946 and later disbanded Oct. 8, 1948.

The 28th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron participated in the atmospheric nuclear testing programs of the Defense Nuclear Agency at the height of the Cold War before being inactivated April 15, 1955.