LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Mueller assumed command of the 42nd Intelligence Squadron during an activation and assumption of command ceremony at the Eaglewood Golf Course at Langley Air Force Base, Dec. 7.
The 42nd IS mission is to support current operations and contingency planning by providing targeting, focused products to the 36th Intelligence Squadron and Air Force Targeting Center at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The reserve unit is part of the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
The squadron can trace its lineage to the 42nd Photo Lab, which was activated on Sept. 2, 1945, at Smokey Hill Army Airfield, Kan., as part of the 456th Bombardment Group's conversion plan for the invasion of Japan. The 42nd Photo Lab was then inactivated Oct. 8, 1948, when the invasion was cancelled, and now it has been re-designated as the 42nd IS.
After giving a brief history of the 42nd IS, Mueller thanked the Airmen under his command for their dedication and commitment to the unit.
"I appreciate all the sacrifices our members make," said Mueller. "They have civilian jobs, but come in on the weekends to ensure targeting missions are met."
Col. Douglas Drakeley, 655th ISR Group commander, officiated the ceremony and said he was confident in his decision to give command of the 42nd IS to Mueller.
"I absolutely know Lt. Col. Mueller is the right person for this job because of his background in targeting and joint operations," said Drakeley.