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11th Intelligence Squadron earns AF-level outstanding unit of year award

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Buffy Galbraith
  • Air Force Special Operations Command public affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The 11th Intelligence Squadron has been selected by Headquarters Air Force as the 2007 Outstanding Intelligence Unit of the Year from more than 51 organizations.

"The men and women of this impressive unit realize the immediate impact their mission bears to the success of Air Force Special Operations Command and the Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Michael Callan, former 23rd Air Force commander. "It makes a big difference when you receive that automatic feedback, and the 11th IS sees the importance of what they do every day." 

The 11th IS established the first-ever full-motion video processing, exploitation and dissemination unit tailored for special operations forces. Since its inception in 2006, the unit surpassed the 2009 fiscal year expectations two years early and increased the mission by 300 percent. 

Milestones were developed on paper, and what they accomplished far exceeded expectations, said General Callan. 

"If this unit was a mutual fund, you'd want to buy shares," he said. "They are continuing to grow." 

Part of the growth means they will be breaking ground on a new facility in October that will house more than double the current number of personnel and will increase their mission capability. 

"It is directly due to the outstanding support of U.S. Special Operations Command that we are so successful," said General Callan. "They have given the 11th IS leaders every resource they need to do their jobs effectively, and they have consistently maintained vigilance in the global war on terror." 

The 11th IS's groundbreaking use of advanced geospatial tools led to more precise target development for more than 1,200 operators. They were also lauded for their data analysis which directly resulted in the capture of thousands of enemy personnel. 

"These folks bring Air Force expertise to SOF tactics, techniques and procedures, making sure the customers are serviced," said General Callan. 

Crediting the total force concept, General Callan said that whether active duty, reserve, civilian or contractor, the men and women of the 11th IS work together to get the job done. 

"It is always the individual we value," said General Callan. "The individual shows the spirit of the team. We have many individuals that we can applaud, and it takes all of them to celebrate the success of this very talented team."