6985 Security Squadron

• Origins: The 6985th Security Squadron was part of the United States Air Force Security Service (USAFSS), established to provide signals intelligence (SIGINT) during the Cold War. • Location: The unit was based at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska, a strategic location for monitoring Soviet communications and activity in the Arctic region. • Primary Mission: The squadron specialized in electronic intelligence (ELINT) and communications intelligence (COMINT), intercepting and analyzing Soviet military transmissions. • RC-135 Operations: Airmen from the 6985th flew as part of the crews on RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, conducting aerial surveillance missions over the Arctic and Pacific. • EC-47 Involvement: The squadron also operated and supported EC-47 aircraft, which were modified for airborne radio direction finding and intelligence gathering. • Cold War Tensions: The 6985th was instrumental during periods of heightened tensions, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and various Soviet military exercises, providing critical early warning and analysis. • Tragedy - 1969 Shootdown: On April 15, 1969, a USAF EC-121 intelligence aircraft, supported by personnel from the 6985th, was shot down by North Korean MiG-21s, resulting in the loss of all 31 crew members, including several from the squadron. • Secrecy and Cover Names: Like many USAFSS units, the 6985th often operated under cover designations to protect the sensitive nature of its missions and locations. • Technological Advances: The squadron was at the forefront of adopting new cryptographic and interception technologies, enabling the U.S. to stay ahead in the intelligence race against the Soviet Union. • Legacy: The 6985th Security Squadron was eventually inactivated and its missions absorbed into successor units, but its contributions to national security and Cold War intelligence remain recognized in military history.