The 9th Intelligence Squadron maintains and operates mobile and fixed photographic imagery production and dissemination facilities for U-2 missions tasked by National Command Authorities, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Headquarters Air Combat Command. It provides operational intelligence to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing Commander, aircrew members, and senior staff. Manages the base Special Security Office and produces and stores all domestic U-2 imagery.

It is currently comprised of five flights: Combat Intelligence Flight (briefs aircrews and senior leaders on current intelligence); Special Security Office (SSO) (handles all aspects of Special Compartmented Information); Plans and Programs Flight (develops and coordinates Oplans and budget and ensures intelligence and computer systems are 100% operational); Logistics Flight (responsible for all processing equipment maintenance); Imagery Production Flight (processes film, analyzes, and makes copies of pictures (imagery) from a fixed facility and the Mobile Intelligence Processing Element (MIPE), DoD's only mobile long roll wet-film processing facility. Its personnel are also deployed to provide TDY intelligence manning support to operating locations overseas and during exercises.

The 9th Intelligence Squadron was activated by Special Order GB-18 dated 1 June 1992 as the 9th Intelligence Support Squadron. It was assigned to the 9th Operations Group (Air Combat Command). It succeeded the 9th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron which was inactivated after a long and illustrious history (1 May 1949 to 19 Sep 1991).

In July 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson announced the development of the SR-71 aircraft. Speculation began immediately that Beale AFB CA would be the home of this new super aircraft. To prepare Beale for its new mission, contractors lengthened the run way, remodeled the former Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) building (originally built in 1954), and constructed several new facilities. The SR-71 "Blackbird" arrived in Jan 1966; it would fly at more than 3 times the speed of sound and operate at altitudes above 80,000 feet. The Air Force activated the 9th Reconnaissance Technical Squadron at Beale AFB in June of 1966 and it was located on the second floor of the SAGE building (now building 2145). The 9 RTS programmed the flight track and specialized cameras on the onboard computer system; it processed the film taken from the aircraft when it returned; and then analyzed and interpreted the pictures (imagery).

The U-2 aircraft made its first flight in Aug 1955. The U-2s flies high altitude reconnaissance, air sampling, and other specialized missions. It is the U-2 that obtained the first photos, on 14 Oct 1962, of the Soviet military buildup and installation of offensive missiles in Cuba. The U-2s varied mission capabilities provided support to numerous agencies, including Army Corp of Engineers, State, and Federal Emergency Management Agencies.

In addition to the myriad training and operational missions, the 9th Intelligence Squadron participated in numerous missions closer to home by providing imagery of the Linda/Olivehurst Flood (1986); missions over Ethiopia, searching for a plane carrying Congressman Mickey LeLand (Jul 1989); assistance over San Francisco and Oakland after the Loma Prieta earthquake (Oct 1989); and DESERT SHIELD/STORM (Aug 1990 - Mar 1991). The 9th Intelligence Squadron continues to play a vital part in the reconnaissance arena.

The 9th Intelligence Squadron production statistics exceed 600,000 feet of film yearly. It is currently comprised of five flights: Combat Intelligence Flight (briefs aircrews and senior leaders on current intelligence); Special Security Office (SSO) (handles all aspects of Special Compartmented Information); Plans and Programs Flight (develops and coordinates Oplans and budget and ensures intelligence and computer systems are 100% operational); Logistics Flight (responsible for all processing equipment maintenance); Imagery Production Flight (processes, exploits, and disseminates imagery from a fixed facility and the Mobile Intelligence Processing Element (MIPE)), DoDs only mobile long roll wet-film processing facility. Its personnel are also deployed to provide TDY intelligence manning support to operating locations overseas and during exercises. The 9th Intelligence Squadron has recently moved into the digitization of imagery products and all products are now transmitted in digital form to customers. If necessary, images can also be produced in the traditional hard copy form.