485th Intelligence Squadron

485th Intelligence Squadron
Active	1953–1955; 1962–1992 1995-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Intelligence
Part of	Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Mainz-Kastel, Germany
Motto(s)	Airborne's Finest (1980-1992)
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Insignia
485th Intelligence Squadron emblem[a][1]
6985th Electronic Security Squadron emblem[b]

The United States Air Force's 485th Intelligence Squadron is an intelligence unit located at Mainz-Kastel, Germany.

The first predecessor of the squadron was activated as the 85th Radio Squadron,Mobile at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas on 8 December 1953, after organizing and training, the squadron moved to Sembach Air Base, Germany in May 1954. On 8 May 1955, it was inactivated^[1] as the 6914th Radio Squadron, Mobile^[c] assumed its mission, equipment and personnel.^[2]

The squadron's second predecessor was activated on 1 July 1962 as the 6985th Radio Squadron, Mobile at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. A year later it was redesignated the 6985th Security Squadron, and in 1979, the 6985th Electronic Security Squadron. The squadron served at Eielson until inactivating in 1992.^[1]

In May 1995, the 85th and 6985th Squadrons were consolidated as the 485th Intelligence Squadron. The consolidated squadron was activated in July at Mainz-Kastel, Germany.^[1]

85th Radio Squadron

• Constituted as the 85th Radio Squadron, Mobile on 4 August 1953

Activated on 8 December 1953

Inactivated on 8 May 1955

Disbanded on 15 June 1983

Reconstituted and consolidated with the 6985th Electronic Security Squadron as the 485th Intelligence Squadron on 10 May 1995^[1]

485th Intelligence Squadron

• Designated as the 6985th Radio Squadron, Mobile and activated on 1 July 1962

Redesignated 6985th Security Squadron on 1 July 1963

Redesignated 6985 Electronic Security Squadron on 1 August 1979

Inactivated on 30 June 1992

• Consolidated with the 6985th Electronic Security Squadron as the 485th Intelligence Squadron on 10 May 1995

Activated on 1 July 1995^[1]

• United States Air Force Security Service, 8 December 1953
• 6910th Security Group, 19 May 1954 – 8 May 1955
• 6981st Radio Group, Mobile (later 6981st Security Group), 1 July 1962
• 6944th Security Wing, 1 July 1974
• United States Air Force Security Service (later Electronic Security Command), 1 March 1979
• 6949th Electronic Security Group, 1 January 1980
• Electronic Security, Strategic, 1 August 1981
• Electronic Security, Alaska, 1 October 1983
• Pacific Electronic Security Division (later 692d Intelligence Wing), 1 June 1989 – 30 June 1992
• 26th Intelligence Group (later 26th Information Operations Group), 1 July 1995
• 70th Mission Support Group, 5 July 2006
• 693d Intelligence Group (later 693d Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group), 12 July 2007 – present^[1]

• Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, 8 December 1953 – 17 April 1954
• Sembach Air Base, Germany, 2 May 1954 – 8 May 1955
• Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, 1 July 1962 – 30 June 1992
• Mainz-Kastel, Germany, 1 July 1995 – present^[1]

Award streamer	Award	Dates	Notes
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device	1 July 2002-31 May 2003	485th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 January 1963-31 December 1964	6985th Radio Squadron,Mobile (later 6985th Security Squadron)[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 July 1968-30 June 1970	6985th Security Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 July 1970-30 April 1972	6985th Security Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 July 1972-30 June 1974	6985th Security Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 July 1974-30 June 1976	6985th Security Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 July 1991-30 June 1992	6985th Electronic Security Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 July 1995-30 September 1995[d]	485th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 October 1996-30 September 1997	485th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 October 1997-30 September 1998	485th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 October 1999-30 September 2000	485th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 June 2001-31 May 2002	485th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 June 2003-31 May 2005	485th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 June 2006-31 May 2007	485th Intelligence Squadron[1]
	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award	1 June 2009-31 May 2011	485th Intelligence Squadron[1]

Explanatory notes

Citations

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Fletcher, Harry R (1993). Air Force Bases , Vol. II, Air Bases Outside the United States of America (PDF). Washington, DC: Center for Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6. Retrieved 17 December 2016.

• Air Force ISR Agency