The 301st Intelligence Squadron says "sayonara" to Misawa

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Patrick S. Ciccarone
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 301st Intelligence Squadron is leaving the Misawa Security Operations Center now that its inactivation ceremony is complete as of 30 June.

With a storied history spanning six decades of service and seven countries, the 301 IS originally was founded as a U.S. Army unit, the 138th Signal Radio Intelligence Company, on Feb. 7,1942.

After being transferred to the U.S. Air Force in 1949, the unit went through a few more transformations, where they were designated as the 6920th Electronic Security Group on Aug. 1, 1979. At the time, their unit was the largest on Misawa Air Base.

Finally, on Oct. 1, 1993, the unit settled on their current designation - the 301 IS.

Throughout their activation time, the 301 IS has served as an integral part of the MSOC mission and provided support by contributing valuable intelligence to the U.S. and its allied forces during wartime operations and other international crises.

Some of the decorations awarded to the unit have been the Air Force Outstanding Unit award, from the following years: Nov 1950 - Jul 1951; Jul 1982 - Jun 1984; Jul 1986 - Jun 1988; Jul 1991 - Jun 1993; Oct 1993 - Sep 1994; Oct 1994 - Sep 1995; Oct 1997 - Sep 1998; Oct 1999 - Sep 2000; Jun 2004 - May 2005; Jun 2008 - Jun 2009, and 1 Jan 2012 - 31 Dec 2012.

The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device from Jun 2001 - May 2003 and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation decoration awarded during World War II.

In addition to the support they offered Misawa AB, the 301 IS has also provided a positive impact on the surrounding community.

After the massive tsunami and devastating 9.0 earthquake struck the coast of Japan in 2011, Airmen of the 301 IS devoted countless hours alongside other Americans and Japanese during Operation Tomodachi by assisting with clean-up and restoration efforts throughout Japan.

"I hope at our next location, Airmen are able to support the community as we have been able to, here in Misawa. Our interactions with the Japanese people have been some of the most rewarding aspects of the units' presence here," said Lt. Col. Eric Monico, 301st IS commander.

The 301 IS played a significant role in programs such as Operation Eyesight, a 50 year tradition of supporting the children of the Hachinohe School for the Deaf and Blind.

Although the 301 IS will be saying "sayonara" to Misawa, the unit will relocate to Alaska, where it will continue its mission of providing intelligence in support of the defense of the United States and its allies.

"I hope the squadron, in its new location, with new Airmen and a new mission, will continue to serve honorably and complete its mission with distinction, as the Airmen have done here on Misawa for over 60 years," Monico said.