USAF Patch Intel d 6949 ESS Electronic Security Squadron SIGINT 1990

USAF Patch Intel CONUS 6949 ESS Electronic Security Squadron Operation Desert Shield Deployed 1990 Offutt AB Embroidered on twill merrowed edge 102mm four inches diameter.

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Squadron History 

United States Air Force Security Service USAFSS activated the 6949 Security Squadron at Offutt AFB in 1 July 1965 on the redesignation of Detachment 1 6940 Security Wing to provide on board intelligence specialists for reconnaissance flying units at Offutt AB on Strategic Air Command SAC Burning Pipe RC 135C Big Team ELINT missions for intelligence information to Strategic Air Command SAC. The Squadron also had a small cadre of Spanish linguists who transcribed information collected by U 2 missions operating in the Caribbean. With the upgrade to RC 135 Rivet Joint ISR aircraft in the early 1970s 6949 SS primary role became airborne SIGINT collection with emphasis on strategic intelligence. When USAFSS became Electronic Security Command on 1 August 1979 the Squadron was redesignated 6949 Electronic Security Squadron. The Squadron was reassigned to Strategic Electronic Security on 1 August 1981. 

6949 ESS was expanded to group status as 6949 Electronic Security Group in January 1980 and was assigned 6985 Electronic Security Squadron as its subordinate unit. 6985 operated on Cobra Ball RC 135 aircraft collecting information on Soviet missile launches. 6949 ESG was reorganised to a Squadron again on 1 August 1981 as 6949 Electronic Security Squadron. Squadron personnel have operated aboard a wide variety of reconnaissance aircraft. The Squadron was reassigned to 694 Electronic Security Wing on 15 July 1988. The Squadron deployed rotational elements to Riyadh AB Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield in support of 1700 Strategic Wing Provisional with RC 135 TR1 and U2 aircraft and was reassigned to Continental Electronic Security Division on 1 January 1991 before continuing with Operation Desert Storm. 

6949 ESS was consolidated with 97 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 1 October 1993 and redesignated as 97 Intelligence Squadron.

This patch dates from 1990.