Electronic Security Command

• Origins in the Cold War: The Electronic Security Command (ESC) was officially activated on 1 August 1979, consolidating USAF electronic security and signals intelligence functions during a critical period of the Cold War. • Lineage: ESC traced its roots to earlier Air Force Security Service (USAFSS) units, inheriting their mission of cryptologic operations and signals intelligence. • Worldwide Presence: At its peak, ESC operated and maintained listening posts and intelligence-gathering stations around the world, including sites in Germany, Japan, Korea, the UK, and Alaska. • Operation Desert Storm Contribution: ESC played a major role during the 1991 Gulf War, providing real-time electronic intelligence that contributed to the destruction of Saddam Hussein's air defense network. • Rivet Joint Missions: ESC personnel often crewed specialized reconnaissance aircraft like the RC-135 Rivet Joint, intercepting enemy communications and radar emissions. • Red Flag Exercises: ESC units regularly participated in the Air Force’s "Red Flag" exercises, helping train combat aircrews in electronic warfare and enemy radar evasion. • Transformation to AFISRA: In 1991, ESC was reorganized as the Air Force Intelligence Command and later became part of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency (AFISRA). • Women in Intelligence: ESC was a pioneer in integrating women into cryptologic and signals intelligence roles, continuing the legacy of female codebreakers from World War II. • Black Crow and Beyond: ESC worked with advanced radio detection gear, such as the "Black Crow" sensors on AC-130 gunships, which could locate idling truck engines by their ignition signals. • Unit Motto: The ESC’s unofficial motto was "Freedom Through Vigilance," reflecting its mission to safeguard national security through constant electronic surveillance.