453rd Electronic Warfare Squadron Emblem

453rd Electronic Warfare Squadron 

MISSION
​Executes worldwide threat change detection (TCD) to support Electromagnetic Warfare Integrated Reprogramming. Provides tailored spectrum warfare products to, and integrate with, the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing and partners. Designs and develops engineering solutions to improve mission planning and debrief capabilities and analysis products to meet emerging and dynamic warfighter requirements. Builds maintains, and continually improves an automated TCD system. Modernizes EW intelligence data analysis tools and dissemination methods to meet the needs of next-generation and legacy weapon systems. Delivers responsive operational training and test infrastructure (OTTI) capabilities in a realistic contested, degraded, and operationally-limited (CDO) environment. Prepares for, builds, and maintains a multi-security level operational reconnaissance EW database for multiple users. Develops, deploys, and sustains a TCD Continuity of Operations (COOP) system.

MISSION STATEMENT
Enable EMS warfighting dominance by engineering and developing digital-native solutions supporting global SIGINT analysis, EW engineering modeling analytics, and large-force synthetic battlespaces to enhance COCOM readiness.

VISION
Deliver timely and tailored spectrum warfare capabilities with a team of Total Force and Coalition EW professionals dedicated to constant innovation.

PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES
The 453rd EWS is comprised of the Analysis Flight (SWA), Software Development Flight (SWD), Cyber Defense Operations Flight (SWT), Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis Engineering Flight (SWZ), and Plans and Programs (XP) located at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX. The squadron is comprised of military (active duty, reserve, guard), civilians, and contracted professionals. Members have varied backgrounds, including EW operations, engineering, computer science (CS), computer programming, signal analysis, information technology, web application development, and database management.

HISTORY
The 453d Bombardment Squadron was activated in 1942 under the Ill Bomber Command, 323d Bomb Group. Its mission: to train pilots to fly the B-26 Marauder. During this time, blue paint was used to cover the propeller spinner covers, so that planes could be easily identified by sister squadrons during combat. The unit was sent into combat in early 1944 to attack targets in France and Germany. Over the next ten years, the unit went through a series of activations and inactivations, until May 1955, when it was reinstated as the 453d Fighter-Bomber Squadron and flew the F-86 Sabre and F-100 Super Sabre. In Apr 1973, the unit was again renamed the 453d Flying Training Squadron utilizing the T-29 and later the T-43 as flight training platforms. In Jun 1993, the 453d Electronic Warfare Squadron was formed. The squadron provides a full spectrum of electronic warfare (EW) support to DoD and coalition warfighters. It consists of four flights, operating together to create a foundation of EW knowledge, maintain and update such knowledge, provide in-depth radio frequency and other EW analyses, and create a realistic training environment for the warfighter. The Data Flight maintains and updates the EW databases used by mission planners and the acquisition community. The Flagging Analysis Flight provides a 24/7 tactical comparison of "current expectations" to current reality to ensure the warfighter is prepared to deploy and operate effectively. The Operations Flight provides analyses of EW system performance in support of operational, acquisition, and training activities. The 453d EWS is looking to the future and building key partnerships to provide comprehensive EW support to the joint warfighter community as well as coalition partners including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.