Pacific Command Electronic Intelligence Center

• World War II Origins: The Pacific Command Electronic Intelligence Center (PEIC) was established during World War II to coordinate Allied electronic intelligence (ELINT) efforts in the Pacific theater against Japanese communications and radar installations. • Key Role in Battle of the Philippine Sea: Intelligence gathered by PEIC contributed to the success of the U.S. Navy in the Battle of the Philippine Sea by revealing Japanese fleet movements and radar capabilities. • Joint Allied Operation: The Center was a collaborative effort among the U.S. Navy, Army, and British intelligence, promoting the exchange of signals and electronic intelligence. • First Use of Airborne ELINT: PEIC was among the first units to deploy modified aircraft equipped with electronic sensors to intercept enemy radar and communications. • Support for Island Hopping: The Center provided crucial intelligence for U.S. “island hopping” campaigns, identifying Japanese radar sites and communication hubs for targeting. • Captured Technology: PEIC analyzed captured Japanese radar and radio equipment, reverse-engineering them to develop effective countermeasures. • Contribution to Operation Magic: The Center supported Operation Magic, the U.S. codebreaking effort that decrypted Japanese communications and shaped Pacific strategy. • Postwar Legacy: After the war, the experience and techniques developed at PEIC influenced the formation of modern U.S. signals intelligence agencies such as the NSA. • Secrecy and Security: Due to the sensitive nature of its work, the existence and activities of PEIC remained classified for decades after WWII. • Veteran Recognition: Personnel who served at the PEIC were often unsung heroes, only receiving broader recognition for their work in recent military intelligence histories.