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820th IS holds activation ceremony

  • Published
  • 655th ISRG Public Affairs
The 820th Intelligence Squadron, a new reserve unit, held their official unit activation and assumption of command ceremony November 4, at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.

The 820th IS, based at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, is a classic associate unit subordinate to the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

As a reserve unit, the main mission of the 820th IS is to support and supplement their associated active duty unit, the 20th Intelligence Squadron. The squadron accomplishes this by providing deliberate targeting and geospatial intelligence to conduct precision engagement across the globe while supporting United States Combatant Commands.

During the assumption of command ceremony, Lt. Col. Thomas P. Stauffer assumed command of the 820 IS from the presiding official, Col. John McKaye, 655th ISRG commander. During the ceremony, Col. McKaye urged 820th IS members to strive for excellence in their targeting intelligence mission, and to always be recruiting future Airmen.

The 820th IS has 82 reserve slots, including seven officers and 56 enlisted members in traditional reserve positions as well as nine officer and 10 enlisted members in full-time active guard reserve positions.

“Due to the high demand of the different target intelligence products, our unit will be able to assist the larger targeting enterprise to meet the requirements set by the air components and combatant commands as well as deploy around the globe,” noted Lt. Col. Stauffer. “In addition, we will be able to backfill positions here at Offutt while their active duty counterparts are downrange.”

The 655 Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group is dedicated to serving as the premier and most diverse ISR Group in the United States Air Force, delivering timely, reliable, accurate and actionable intelligence products enabling a decisive advantage over adversaries of the United States. The 655th consists of a headquarters and three tenant squadrons in Ohio, and 11 geographically separated units in California, Texas, Nebraska, Virginia, Florida and Maryland. For exciting and rewarding career opportunities with the 655 ISRG, please contact your local Air Force Reserve recruiter or call 937-257-8117.