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
Active	1971–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Washington
Branch	Air National Guard
Type	Intelligence
Part of	Washington Air National Guard
Garrison/HQ	Fairchild 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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

• 252d Mobile Communications Group (later, 252d Combat Communications Group), 1971–present
• Washington Air National Guard, 1971–present

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

• List of United States Air Force intelligence squadrons