"Exploit the night" - Intel squadron achieves FOC

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sam King
  • 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

As of March 31, the 28th Intelligence Squadron reached their true potential achieving full operational capability.  The unit is officially ready to live up to their motto "exploit the night."

The Barracudas reached this achievement 13 months ahead of schedule.  The goal was accomplished with the successful completion of aircraft mission qualification training by Staff Sgt. Kyle Cook, a tactical system operator with the squadron.

It was very gratifying for me to know we finally attained the goal that was set out before us as a squadron,” said the NCO, who left the Intel career field, but came back to it when he heard the 28th IS was standing up. “Finally realizing this goal was huge for me both personally and professionally.”

 

This goal has been a long time in the making for the Airmen of the squadron.

"The hard work of the Airmen of this squadron led to reaching our FOC goal well before our established deadline," said Lt. Col. Joseph Marcinek, the 28th IS commander.  "I'm proud of the job they've done so far and will continue to do in this critical mission."

To become FOC, the squadron had to reach 100 percent manning, 75 percent mission capability and 90 percent personnel ready to deploy.

To reach the goal so quickly, Marcinek and his Airmen focused on recruitment, building processes and programs, training, readiness and integration with the squadron's active duty associate unit, the 25th Intelligence Squadron.

Through this growth and transition, the 28th IS relied heavily on support from their local supporting Reserve wing, the 919th Special Operations Wing and the intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance groups above them.

The 919th SOW's force support squadron supplies the fellow Reserve squadron with support on all personnel issues.

The squadron's mission is to deliver specialized analysis directly to Air Force Special Operations forces.  Ground analysts in the squadron execute national tactical integration missions, including the associated collection, analysis, and dissemination for mission planning and execution downrange and reach-back.

The 28th IS also hosts the only aircraft maintenance flight within its group, the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.  The aircraft maintenance flight consists of a highly technical team responsible for C-130, U-28, and CV-22 equipment installations. Those Airmen ensure sensitive electronic equipment is properly maintained, configured, and loaded for mission success.

The squadron also provides deployment support and relief to the high operation tempo of the 25th IS.

“Our way forward from this point is to continue to provide operational support to our active duty customer and expand our support as they grow to include providing additional deployment support,” said Marcinek.