250th Intelligence Squadron celebrates new state-of-the-art facility

  • Published
  • By Jessica Pacheco Semenyuk
  • 150th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  

The 150th Special Operations Wing’s 250th Intelligence Squadron celebrated the completion of its $5 million state-of-the-art facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 19. 

The unit is part of the New Mexico Air National Guard.

“The facility features secure workspaces for all Airmen and a consolidated work space where flights are co-located, allowing for improved collaboration. The facility also includes training areas for our Guardsmen,” said Lt. Col. Susana Carona Smith, commander of the 250th. “Due to the outstanding reputation of the unit, Airmen from across the United States travel to Kirtland AFB to collaborate and train with the Airmen of the 250th Intelligence Squadron.”

Carona Smith said the transformational upgrades were like going from analog to digital.

When the last F-16 flew out of Kirtland Air Force Base in September 2010, the Air National Guard was in a period of flux as state and congressional leadership pushed to establish a new mission for the wing.

"Total Force Integration" was a part of that transition and evolution, which leverages the synergies of both the 58th Special Operations Wing and the 150th, making today's 150th Special Operations Wing. The 250th was also an integral part of this transition, filling critical military positions and becoming the wing's first Intelligence Targeting mission.

Chief Master Sgt. Charlene Scherrer, 250th superintendent, was one of three architects who designed the wing’s new intel mission.

“We were in need of a mission and intelligence was a priority requirement of the Air Force and National Guard Bureau. Therefore, we used resources we already had, that being facilities in place and the skillsets to receive accreditation for an Intel squadron,” Scherrer said.

With $5 million approved through military construction and NGB, the wing broke ground in 2014.

Like that of the F-16 legacy, the 250th legacy is made of proud citizen Airmen.

“We never back down from a challenge and most definitely never back down from a fight,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Henry, commander of the 150th Mission Support Group. “I am proud of the work that Airmen of this squadron did in building the unit from the ground up into the top performing squadron in the Air Force Targeting Enterprise. That is especially impressive considering that 95 percent of the unit was comprised of cross-trainees and new pipeline Airmen when it started.”   

From 2012 to present day, over 23 awards have been given at wing, state, Air Combat Command, 25th Air Force, National Guard Bureau, and Air Force levels to exceptional staff that make up the 250th.

"This is testament that our force exemplifies proud standards for evaluations and quality control processes - a characteristic of our fighter heritage," Henry said.

The 250th Intel Squadron is postured to primarily perform deliberate targeting with some limited dynamic targeting. It is the first stop of the intelligence-enterprise request from the combatant commander for the frontline warfighter, providing real-time and accurate data for combat operations. The new facility allows Airmen of the 250th to work in a secure environment and provide the warfighter deliberate and dynamic support via targeting reach-back architecture. 

“The 250th Intel Squadron is filled with great Americans who ensure America’s future and safety is secure,” said Brig. Gen. Andrew Salas, the adjutant general of New Mexico.