689th Combat Communications Wing Activated at Robins Air Force Base (New Cyber Defense Unit)

This new 689th Combat Communications Wing at Robins Air Force Base will report to the new U.S. Air Force Cyber Command which just went online back in August. The Air Force's stated goal is to dominate the cyberspace and rule the cyber realm.

The 689th Combat Communications Wing will add about 40 active duty airmen to Robins Air Force Base. It is the first unit of its size with its capabilities in the Air Force. The 689th will specialize in facilitating communications in deployed locations. It figures to help defend lines of communication to and from deployed bases against cyber attacks...

Col. Theresa Giorlando, a career communications officer, officially assumed command of the unit moments after it was activated. It is the first time she has been assigned to Robins Air Force Base.

We are going to be the cornerstone for dominating cyberspace, Giorlando told her airmen.

It is understandable that the Air Force wants to get involved in the cyber wars, because it has reported for years that China's military has advanced cyberattack capabilities that could potentially jeopardize our national security (see pages 163-164 of the Annual Report).

Colonel Gary McAlum, chief of staff for the U.S. Strategic Command’s Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations, testified to the Commission (at the Hearing on “China’s Proliferation Practices, and the Development of its Cyber and Space Warfare Capabilities” that was held on May 20, 2008) that China has recognized the importance of cyber operations as a tool of warfare, as demonstrated by the increased resources and training it is focusing on cyber operations. The training addresses both cyber attacks and cyber intrusions. Colonel McAlum said that China currently has the intent and capability to conduct cyber operations anywhere in the world at any time. China has an active cyber espionage program. Since China’s current cyber operations capability is so advanced, it can engage in forms of cyber warfare so sophisticated that the United States may be unable to counteract or even detect the efforts.

Source: The Sun News (Macon)