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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The U.S. Air Force officially reactivated the 23d Electronic Warfare Squadron (23 EWS) during a ceremony held Friday, April 18, at Eglin Air Force Base.
The unit, previously operating as the 350th Spectrum Warfare Group Detachment 1, now functions under the 350th Spectrum Warfare Group and will support mission data file (MDF) reprogramming for command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C2ISR) platforms, combat rescue platforms, and expendables, including the High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM).
Lt. Col. Luke Marron assumed command of the reactivated squadron. He previously led the unit under its detachment designation.
“As we stand here today … I’m reminded of the importance of service and sacrifice,” said Marron. “Service and sacrifice defined the 23d Fighter Squadron, and it’ll continue to define the 23rd Electronic Warfare Squadron.”
The squadron’s mission includes operational, technical, and maintenance support for electromagnetic warfare systems. It maintains continuous contingency reprogramming capabilities, conducts testing of foreign threat systems, and supports developmental and operational tests of electromagnetic warfare systems.
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During the ceremony, U.S. Air Force Col. Candice Sperry, commander of the 350th Spectrum Warfare Group, presided over the transfer of command and emphasized the strategic role the squadron plays.
“There is no one better prepared or more deserving to lead [the 23d EWS] than Lt. Col. Marron,” said Sperry. “We need his leadership to build this squadron’s rich history… and to continue building capabilities our warfighters will need to keep from harm’s way.”
Updating mission data files allows warfighters to recognize and counter current threats effectively. The reprogramming enables detection, targeting, and neutralization of threats across the electromagnetic spectrum.
The 23 EWS traces its lineage back to 1939, when it was activated as the 23d Pursuit Squadron. It was redesignated the 23d Fighter Squadron in 1942 and supported combat operations during World War II, Operation Desert Storm, and the War on Terror.
