Lineage. Constituted as 26 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 5 Feb 1943. Redesignated as 26 Photographic Squadron (Light) on 6 Feb 1943. Activated on 9 Feb 1943. Redesignated as 26 Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 15 Aug 1943. Inactivated on 20 Feb 1946. Redesignated as 26 Reconnaissance Squadron, Very Long Range, Photographic, RCM, on 3 Jul 1947. Activated in the Reserve on 1 Aug 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949. Redesignated as 26 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium on 14 Jan 1955. Activated on 24 Jan 1955. Redesignated as 681 Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 25 Oct 1961. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 Jun 1962. Redesignated as 26 Intelligence Squadron on 9 Apr 1993. Activated on 15 Apr 1993. Inactivated on 5 Sep 1996. Redesignated as 26 Air and Space Intelligence Squadron on 16 May 2003. Activated on 29 May 2003. Inactivated on 6 Oct 2006. Redesignated as 26 Intelligence Squadron on 28 Jun 2022. Activated on 30 Aug 2022.
Assignments. 6 Photographic (later, 6 Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping; 6 Photographic Reconnaissance; 6 Photographic; 6 Reconnaissance) Group, 9 Feb 1943 (attached to 308 Bombardment Wing, 22 Oct-20 Nov 1945); 308 Bombardment Wing, 21 Nov 1945-20 Feb 1946. 70 Reconnaissance Group, 1 Aug 1947-27 Jun 1949. 70 Strategic Reconnaissance (later, 70 Bombardment) Wing, 24 Jan 1955-25 Jun 1962. 68 Electronic Combat Group, 15 Apr 1993-5 Sep 1996. 502 Air Operations Group, 29 May 2003-6 Oct 2006. 544 Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group, 30 Aug 2022-.
Stations. Colorado Springs, CO, 9 Feb-22 Oct 1943; Sydney, Australia, 19 Nov 1943; Brisbane, Australia, 25 Nov 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea, 26 Jan 1944; Finschhafen, New Guinea, 19 Feb 1944; Nadzab, New Guinea, 28 Mar 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, 23 Jul 1944; Biak Island, 5 Aug 1944; Lingayen, Luzon, 16 Jan 1945; Okinawa, 6 Aug 1945; Kimpo, Korea, Oct 1945-20 Feb 1946. Hamilton Field (later AFB), CA, 1 Aug 1947-27 Jun 1949. Little Rock AFB, AR, 24 Jan 1955-25 Jun 1962. Eglin AFB, FL, 15 Apr 1993-5 Sep 1996. Hickam AFB, HI, 29 May 2003-6 Oct 2006. Buckley SFB, CO, 30 Aug 2022-.
Service Streamers. None
Campaign Streamers. World War II: China Defensive 1942-1945; New Guinea 1943-1944; Bismarck Archipelago 1943-1944; Western Pacific 1944-1945; Leyte 1944-1945; Luzon 1944-1945; China Offensive 1945; Air Combat, Asiatic-Pacific Theater 1941-1945.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Philippine Islands, 18-[20] Sep 1944; Philippine Islands, 22 Mar 1945. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 15 Feb-30 Dec 1957; 1 Jul 2002-31 Aug 2004; 1 Jun 2005-5 Oct 2006. Air Force Organizational Excellence Award: [15 Apr 1993]- 31 Dec 1993. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (WWII).
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 5 Jul 2023.
Supersedes statement prepared on 9 Jun 2003.
Emblem. Approved on 4 Aug 1995.
Prepared by James Musser.
Reviewed by Margaret Ream.