26th Network Operations Squadron

The United States Air Force (USAF)'s 26th Network Operations Squadron (26 NOS) is a network operations unit located at Gunter Annex, in Montgomery, AL.

Mission
The 26th NOS operates the Air Force portion of the Global Information Grid and provides computer network defense for the Air Force enterprise network. In addition to operating and defending the Air Force Enterprise Network Increment 1 (AFNET INC 1) Gateways, 26 NOS provides command and control and computer defense for more than 250 locations, with more than 1,100 wide area network circuits supporting warfighting efforts while executing 24/7 sustainment of all Air Force active duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router/ Secure Internet Protocol Router services.

History
The squadron was established as the 1987th Communications Squadron on June 1, 1966, at Nakhon Phanom, Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, before moving to Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado on October 31, 1975. It was redesignated as the 3415th Communications Squadron on April 1, 1991. That unit was inactivated on June 28, 1994. On Aug. 11, 2009, the 3415th Communication Squadron was redesignated as the 26th Network Operations Squadron. The squadron was activated on Aug. 18, 2009, on the day of the implementation of the 24th Air Force. This unit, as one of the newest squadrons in today's Air Force, supports a critical role in cyber operations and supports the Air Force Mission to "Fly, Fight and Win in Air, Space, and Cyberspace".

Stations

 * Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand, 1 June 1966
 * Lowry AFB, Colorado, 31 October 1975
 * Gunter Annex, Alabama, 18 August 2009 (Current)

Awards and Campaigns
Presidential Unit Citation (Southeast Asia), 1 Nov 1968-1 May 1969. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 22 Oct 1968-30 Jun 1970; 1 Jul 1969-30 Jun 1970; 1 Jul 1970-30 Jun 1971; 1 Jul 1971-30 Jun 1972; 1 Jul 1972-30 Jun 1973. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1-30 Jun 1966; 1 Jul 1967-30 Jun 1968; 1 Jul 1968-30 Jun 1969; 1 Jan 1976-31 Dec 1977; 1 Jul 1988-30 Jun 1990. Air Force Organizational Excellence Awards: 1 Oct 1988-30 Sep 1989; 1 Oct 1992-28 Jun 1994. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 Jun 1966-28 Jan 1973.