Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 25, 2026

485th Intelligence Squadron

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

Last revised
Jun 25, 2026
Read time
≈ 4 min
Length
809 w
Citations
29
Source
485th Intelligence Squadron
Active1953–1955; 1962–1992 1995-present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleIntelligence
Part ofAir Combat Command
Garrison/HQMainz-Kastel, Germany
MottoAirborne's Finest (1980-1992)
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1
Insignia
485th Intelligence Squadron emblema1
6985th Electronic Security Squadron emblemb

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

History

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 inactivated1 as the 6914th Radio Squadron, Mobilec 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

Lineage

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 19951
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 19951

Assignments

Stations

  • 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 – present1

Awards

Award streamer Award Dates Notes
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device 1 July 2002-31 May 2003 485th Intelligence Squadron1
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 Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1970-30 April 1972 6985th Security Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1972-30 June 1974 6985th Security Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1974-30 June 1976 6985th Security Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1991-30 June 1992 6985th Electronic Security Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1995-30 September 1995d 485th Intelligence Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 1996-30 September 1997 485th Intelligence Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 1997-30 September 1998 485th Intelligence Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 1999-30 September 2000 485th Intelligence Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 2001-31 May 2002 485th Intelligence Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 2003-31 May 2005 485th Intelligence Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 2006-31 May 2007 485th Intelligence Squadron1
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 June 2009-31 May 2011 485th Intelligence Squadron1
References

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
  1. Approved 21 July 1998.
  2. Approved 10 November1980.
  3. This is not the same unit as the 6914th Electronic Security Squadron activated at Sembach in 1986, despite the similar name and same location.
  4. Bailey gives start date for the award as 1 October 1994, but the unit was not active until July 1995.
Citations
  1. Bailey, Carl E. (10 March 2015). "Factsheet 485 Intelligence Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
  2. See Fletcher, p. 160 (simultaneous activation and inactivation dates.)

Bibliography

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

External links