Feature Search

  • OSI at 75: Chasing Sputnik

    On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union used a converted intercontinental ballistic missile to launch Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite to ever orbit the Earth. Sputnik 1 was a metal sphere weighing approximately 184 pounds and it was roughly the size of a basketball.

  • OSI at 75: The History and Essence of the OSI Badge

    The Office of Special Investigations badge was designed by Capt. Robert H. Ray in 1948. Ray, who was serving as the Chief of OSI’s Criminal Investigations Division at the time, was a former Army Counter Investigations Division special agent and a former Connecticut State Trooper. 

  • OSI at 75: SECAF Speech at FBI Graduation in 1948

    On June 25, 1948, the featured speaker at the graduation ceremonies of the FBI National Academy was the Honorable W. Stuart Symington, Secretary of the Air Force. One of the topics he spoke about was the upcoming activation of the Office of Special Investigations.

  • OSI Year In Review

    2022 has been a banner year for OSI, bringing new challenges, inspiring stories, modern weapons, many closed cases and more that have defined it as a premiere federal law enforcement agency. As 2023 looms, we look back on several stories that paved our way the past 12 months.  

  • Looking Back: Operation RESTORE HOPE – OSI Operations in Somalia

    The primary mission of OSI in Somalia was the collection of counterintelligence information, antiterrorism, defensive air base operability, resource protection, counter-threat analysis and the production and delivery of various briefings to a range of military leaders.

  • Empowering Airmen on cybersecurity

    October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global effort to protect personal information and communication tools. The OSI 3rd FIS is partnered with 16th Air Force conducting investigative and counterintelligence activities in, through and beyond cyberspace vital to the nation’s interest.

  • National POW/MIA Recognition Day: Remembering OSI’s Own

    Every year, the third Friday in September is recognized in the United States as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. A few individuals have served with OSI who had been prisoners-of-war before joining the command. One was SA Crawford E. Hicks, who served with OSI from 1955 to 1966.

  • Insider Threat defense starts with awareness

    Each September OSI, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the National Insider Threat Task Force, and other federal partners participate in National Insider Threat Awareness Month. This year’s DoD theme is: Critical Thinking for Digital Spaces.

  • Looking Back: Ramstein air show crash

    There were clear blue skies and near perfect weather on Aug. 28, 1988, as approximately 300,000 people gathered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to observe the “Flugtag ‘88” air show. What they witnessed was the deadliest air show crash to date.

  • Looking Back: OSI’s First Senior Enlisted Leader

    In July 1973, Chief Master Sgt. Donald B. Baxter assumed responsibility as the first Senior Enlisted Advisor in Office of Special Investigations history. The position of Senior Enlisted Advisor within OSI was created following a recommendation from the Headquarters Enlisted Council.