25th IOS joins 55th Wing

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. John Severns
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
The 55th Operations Group assumed command of its newest squadron Wednesday, as the 25th Information Operation Squadron here was organizationally resubordinated from the 67th Information Operations Group at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. 

The organizational shift will consolidate almost all of the Air Force's airborne cryptologic linguists under a single group. The change will give the Air Force a new, centralized ability to manage the capabilities the linguists bring to the fight, according to Lt. Col. James Harvey, 25th IOS commander. 

The 25th IOS will remain at Hurlburt, where its direct support operators and airborne cryptologic linguists will continue flying aboard aircraft operated by the 16th Special Operations Wing. 

The 25th IOS's resubordination to the 55th Wing was one of many changes across the Air Force described by the 2005 Quadrennial Defense Review, released earlier this year.
25th IOS Airmen fly aboard each of the 16th SOW's aircraft; the AC-130H Spectre and AC-130U Spooky gunships, the MC-130H Combat Talon II, the C-130E Hercules and MH-53J/M Pave Low helicopters. 

The direct support operators and airborne cryptologic linguists assist the special operations mission by providing onboard, real-time threat warning and situational awareness to aircrew and commanders during missions across the entire spectrum of conflict. 

"The 25th is making a significant contribution to the Global War on Terrorism and will continue to do so under the 55th Wing," said Colonel Harvey. "The resubordination will have no effect on us at the operator level."

According to the Colonel Harvey, the shift will require some time for administrative processes to adjust to the new organizational structure, but it won't impact the Airmen's ability to prosecute the Global War on Terrorism.