USAF Patch Intel USAFE d 6988 ESS Electronic Security Squadron SIGINT b

USAF Patch Intel USAFE 6988 ESS Electronic Security Squadron Bats RAF Mildenhall 1980s Fully embroidered cut edge 78mm by 72mm three and one sixteenth inches by two and three quarter inches.

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Squadron History

6988 Electronic Security Squadron ESS was activated at RAF Mildenhall on 1 June 1980 under Electronic Security Command on the redesignation of 6954 ESS to continue the lineage of 6988 Security Squadron honouring its operations in Japan Vietnam Korea and South East Asia up to its deactivation on 30 June 1972. The Squadron was tasked the collection analysis and reporting of signals intelligence SIGINT about foreign command and control communications countermeasures weapons systems and target acquisition with RC 135 reconnaissance aircraft. The Squadron began upgrading to Block III electronically modernized RC 135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft on 9 January 1981.

The Squadron was initially responsible for electronic security support and maintenance of U 2R reconnaissance aircraft deployed for Central European Theater operations. With the introduction of the TR 1 at RAF Alconbury the U 2R maintenance personnel of 6988 ESS were transferred to 6952 ESS. The operations of all RC 135 aircraft in the European theater were assigned to 6988 ESS in November 1990 on the inactivation of 6916 Electronic Security Squadron at Hellenikon AB Greece. 6988 ESS continued with RC 135 operations from Hellenikon with its OL RH Detachment until March 1991.

6988 ESS became part of the Air Force Intelligence Command AFIC on the reorganisation and redesignation of Electronic Security Command. 6988 ESS was redesignated the 488 Intelligence Squadron on 1 October 1993.

This patch dates from the 1980s.