256th Intelligence Squadron

The 256th Intelligence Squadron (256 IS) is a unit of the Washington Air National Guard at Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington. It is a geographically separate unit (GSU) assigned to the 252d Combat Communications Group at Camp Murray, Washington. Prior to converting to an intelligence mission, the 256th was a combat communications squadron.

256th Intelligence Squadron
Active1971–present
Country United States
Allegiance Washington
Branch  Air National Guard
TypeIntelligence
Part ofWashington Air National Guard
Garrison/HQFairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Washington

History

The 256th Mobile Communications Squadron was activated in 1971 at Paine Air National Guard Base in Everett, Washington.[1] In 1976, the squadron relocated to Camp Murray near Tacoma, Washington.[2] In 1980, the 256th was recognized by Governor Dixy Lee Ray for supporting the recovery efforts following the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The unit was redesignated as the 256th Combat Communications Squadron in 1984. Several 256th personnel deployed to Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Gulf War.

In 1996, the 256th relocated to the Four Lakes Communications Station,[2] a former Nike missile site near Cheney, Washington.[3] The unit took over facilities formerly used by the 105th Air Control Squadron, which was inactivated at the same time. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission determined that Four Lakes should close and that the 256th should relocated to the nearby Fairchild Air Force Base.[4] The move to Fairchild was completed in 2009.[3] Before relocating, the 256th deployed to Iraq as part of the Iraq War.

After the move to Fairchild, the 256th began conversion to an intelligence mission, and it was redesignated as the 256th Intelligence Squadron in 2013.[5]

Lineage
  • Constituted as the 256th Mobile Communications Squadron (Air Force Component Command Post) on 22 February 1971 and allotted to the Air National Guard
Activated on 19 June 1971
Redesignated 256th Mobile Communications Squadron (Air Force Component Headquarters) on 15 November 1972
Redesignated 256th Combat Communications Squadron (Air Force Component Headquarters) on 1 April 1976
Redesignated 256th Combat Information Systems Squadron c. 1 July 1984
Redesignated 256th Combat Communications Squadron c. 1 October 1986
Redesignated 256th Intelligence Squadron in 2013

Assignments
Gained by Air Force Communications Command, 1981-1990
Gained by Tactical Air Command, 1990-1992
Gained by Air Combat Command, 1992-2009
Gained by Air Force Space Command, 2009-2013
Gained by Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, 2013-present

Stations
  • Paine Air National Guard Base, 1971-1976
  • Camp Murray, 1976-1996
  • Four Lakes Communications Station, Cheney, Washington, 1996-2009
  • Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, 2009–present

See also

References
  1. "Changes in Guard Units are Complex". Spokane Daily Chronicle. 14 June 1971. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  2. Herrick, Richard (27 May 2011). "The 256CBCS History Page". The Home of The “Late” Great 256th CBCS. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  3. "Former Four Lakes Communications Station". U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering Center. 10 May 2013. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  4. "Affected BRAC 2005 Locations". Air Force BRAC Program Management Office. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2013.
  5. "Team Fairchild". Fairchild Air Force Base. Archived from the original on 6 January 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
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