6988 RSM

• Unit Overview: The 6988th Radio Squadron, Mobile (RSM) was a United States Air Force signals intelligence (SIGINT) unit, part of the Air Force Security Service (USAFSS), active primarily during the Korean War and early Cold War period. • Activation: The 6988th RSM was activated in 1951 to meet the urgent need for communications intelligence (COMINT) in the Far East, especially during the Korean War. • Location: The unit was based at Yokota Air Base, Japan, serving as a critical listening post for monitoring Soviet, Chinese, and North Korean communications. • Mission: The 6988th RSM was responsible for intercepting, analyzing, and reporting enemy radio transmissions, providing valuable intelligence to U.S. and Allied commanders. • Aircraft Operations: The unit supported airborne SIGINT missions, utilizing RB-29s and later RB-50s, which flew dangerous reconnaissance sorties along the borders of hostile nations. • Incident of 1953: On July 29, 1953, an RB-50G aircraft (callsign "Flight 39") from the squadron was shot down by Soviet MiG-15s over the Sea of Japan, resulting in the loss of 16 crew members—a stark reminder of the Cold War’s risks. • Role in the Korean War: Intelligence provided by the 6988th RSM was instrumental in predicting enemy movements and supporting United Nations forces, directly impacting battlefield success. • Cold War Contributions: After the Korean War, the squadron continued monitoring Soviet and Chinese military communications, contributing to the broader U.S. intelligence picture in Asia. • Unit Awards: The 6988th RSM and its personnel received several commendations for their service, including Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards and individual decorations for heroism and meritorious service. • Legacy: The 6988th RSM was later redesignated and absorbed into other USAFSS units, but its legacy lives on in the continued tradition of Air Force signals intelligence operations in the Pacific.