The United States Air Force's 23d Information Operations Squadron (23 IOS) is an information operations unit located at Lackland AFB, Texas.
The mission of the 23 IOS is to deliver proven full spectrum information operations tactics to the warfighter.
The squadron was first activated as the 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron in 1942. It served in combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where it earned a Distinguished Unit Citation and a French Croix de Guerre for combat operations.
The 6947th Electronic Security Squadron was activated in 1986 as an electronic intelligence squadron. In 1993, the two squadrons were consolidated as the 23d Intelligence Squadron. The squadron was inactivated in 2011 and its resources and personnel transferred to the 318th Operations Suppor Squadron.
23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
Constituted as the 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 14 July 1942
Activated on 2 September 1942
Redesignated
23d Photographic Squadron (Light) on 6 February 1943
Redesignated
23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 13 November 1943
Inactivated on 12 September 1945
Consolidated with the 6947th Electronic Security Squadron on 1 October 1993 as the 23d Intelligence Squadron
23d Information Operations Squadron
Designated as the 6947th Electronic Security Squadron and activated on 1 July 1986
Consolidated with the 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 1 October 1993 as the 23d Intelligence Squadron
Redesignated
23d Information Operations Squadron on 1 August 2000
Inactivated on 7 December 2011-
5th Photographic Group (later 5th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, 5th Photographic Group): 2 September 1942 (attached to 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group (later 3d Photographic Group), c. 15 July - 8 September 1943, 9 February - 9 March 1944, after 23 August 1944)
3d Photographic Group (later 3d Reconnaissance Group): 15 November 1944 – 12 September 1945
6940th Electronic Security Wing: 1 Jul 1986
Continental Electronic Security Division: 1 Apr 1987
694th Electronic Security Wing: 15 Jul 1988
Continental Electronic Security Division: 1 Jan 1991
693d Intelligence Wing: 1 Oct 1991
67th Intelligence Wing: 1 Oct 1993 – 30 Jun 1996
Air Force Information Warfare Center (later Air Force Information Operations Center, 688th Information Operations Wing):1 Aug 2000 – 7 December 2011
Army Air Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2 September 1942 – 8 August 1943
La Marsa Airfield, Tunisia, 8 Sep 1943
Foggia Airfield Complex, Italy, 30 Nov 1943
San Severo Airfield, Italy, 10 Dec 1943
Alghero-Fertilia Airport, Sardinia, 2 Feb 1944
Borgo Airfield, Corsica, 14 Jul 1944
Valence Airfield (Y-23), France, 5 Sep 1944
Malignano Airfield, Italy, 13 Oct 1944
Florence Peretola Airport, Italy, 16 Jan 1945 – 23 Aug 1945
Pomigliano Airfield, Italy, 23 Aug 1945 – 12 Sep 1945
Key West Naval Air Station, Florida, 1 Jul 1986 – 30 Jun 1996
Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, 1 Aug 2000 – 7 December 2011
Distinguished Unit Citation
28 February 1944
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
1 Oct 1993-30 Sep 1994
1 Jan 1990 – 31 Dec 1991
French Croix de Guerre with gilt star
15 August 1943 - 15 October 1944
F-5 (1943–1945)
Lockheed P-38 Lightning (1943–1945)
