20th Intelligence Squadron

20th Intelligence Squadron
Col Carol Northrup, Air Force Targeting Center commander, passes the squadron guidon to incoming commander, Lt Col Patrick Sutherland (2011)
Active	1942–1946; 1947–1951; 1954–1967; 1992–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Intelligence
Size	Squadron
Part of	Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Offutt Air Force Base
Mascot(s)	Yosemite Sam
Engagements	Southwest Pacific Theater Vietnam War[1]
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1]
Insignia
20th Intelligence Squadron emblem (approved 7 July 1958)[1]

The 20th Intelligence Squadron is a United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 363d Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It has served at Offutt since June 1992, when it was activated as the 20th Air Intelligence Squadron.

The squadron was first activated as the 20th Photographic Mapping Squadron in July 1942. In September 1943, it moved to the Southwest Pacific Theater, engaging in combat mapping missions until V-J Day, moving forward with Allied forces through New Guinea, the Philippine Islands and the Ryuku Islands, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation and a Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation. It briefly served with the occupation forces before inactivating in June 1946. As the 20th Reconnaissance Squadron (later 20th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron), it served in the reserve from 1947 until it was mobilized for the Korean War in 1951. It was inactivated shortly after being called to active duty and its personnel and equipment were used to bring other units up to strength.

The squadron was activated at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina in March 1954 as the 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. It trained in reconnaissance missions, deploying to MacDill Air Force Base during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1965, the squadron moved to Southeast Asia, where it flew combat reconnaissance missions until inactivating in November 1967.