About this Unit
The 6913th Radio Squadron Mobile (RSM) was a United States Air Force signals intelligence unit activated in 1951 during the early years of the Cold War. Stationed primarily at Bremerhaven, Germany, the unit’s mission focused on intercepting and analyzing Soviet and Warsaw Pact communications as part of broader efforts to monitor potential threats to NATO forces in Europe. The 6913th RSM played a vital role in electronic surveillance, cryptologic operations, and providing intelligence support to U.S. and allied commands throughout its operational period. The unit was eventually inactivated in 1968 as technological advancements and strategic priorities led to the reorganization of Air Force intelligence assets.
Historical Facts
•
Origin and Role: The 6913th Radio Squadron Mobile (RSM) was a United States Air Force signals intelligence (SIGINT) unit, originally activated in the early 1950s to monitor and intercept Soviet and Warsaw Pact communications during the Cold War.
•
Location: The unit was famously stationed at Bremerhaven, Germany, serving as a key listening post near the Iron Curtain at the northern end of the East-West German border.
•
Mission: The 6913th RSM’s primary mission was electronic surveillance, intercepting and analyzing military communications, and providing vital intelligence to the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. European Command.
•
Nickname: Members of the 6913th RSM referred to themselves as "The Bremerhaven Boys," reflecting both unit pride and their unique position in Germany.
•
Unique Facilities: The site operated a large array of antennas and direction-finding equipment, including the famous "Elephant Cage" (AN/FLR-9 Circularly Disposed Antenna Array), enabling wide-area interception capabilities.
•
Cultural Impact: The unit’s presence brought a significant American influence to the city of Bremerhaven, creating a small "Little America" with U.S. schools, clubs, and facilities for service members and their families.
•
Secret Operations: Due to the sensitive nature of its SIGINT mission, much of the unit’s work was classified, and operators often worked in soundproofed, windowless rooms for long shifts deciphering enemy transmissions.
•
Recognition: The 6913th RSM and its personnel received multiple commendations for their effectiveness in providing early warning during crises such as the Berlin Crisis and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
•
Transition: In the 1970s, the unit was redesignated as the 6913th Security Squadron, reflecting changes in Air Force organizational structure and the evolving nature of electronic warfare.
•
Legacy: Though inactivated in the early 1990s following the end of the Cold War, the 6913th’s alumni maintain an active association, preserving the history and camaraderie of the unit through reunions and online communities.
