Air Force cyber unit begins operations

The 24th Air Force has received approval to begin performing critical elements of its mission to protect Air Force cyber assets, the Air Force Space Command announced Jan. 25.

The 24th Air Force received initial operational capability after the AFSC inspector general conducted a formal review of its operations center and staff capabilities, the command said. Following the review, both were given a ready rating.

The readiness designation means that 24th Air Force staff is capable of performing critical elements of its mission to extend, operate and defend the Air Force portion of the Defense Department’s information network and support the joint warfighting environment. For more on this topic, see “New Threats Compel DOD to Rethink Cyber Strategy.”

The 24th Air Force, which was activated in August 2009, is a component numbered Air Force that is subordinate to AFSC. The 24th comprises the 67th Network Warfare and 688th Information Operations wings at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and the 689th Combat Communications Wing at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

Gen. C. Robert Kehler, AFSC commander, said the event was an important one for the Air Force.

“We’ve reached all the milestones established by the secretary of the Air Force and chief of staff of the Air Force, and after a rigorous inspector general inspection, the 24th team has proven their capability to meet their initial operational responsibilities," he said.