U.S. Air Force Cyber Command Gets Greenlight to Begin Operations

Air Force Cyber NAF achieves Initial Operational Capability

Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

1/25/2010 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The commander of Air Force Space Command certified 24th Air Force for Initial Operational Capability here Friday. This milestone designation means that 24 AF is capable of performing critical elements of its mission.

"This is a big day for the United States Air Force," said Gen. C. Robert Kehler, Air Force Space Command commander. "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 very rigorous Inspector General inspection, the 24th Air Force team has proven their capability to meet their initial operational responsibilities."

As a part of reaching IOC, the 24th Air Force staff and its operations center were inspected by the Air Force Space Command Inspector General, earning a "ready" rating.

"Reaching IOC is a validation of what our people can accomplish," said Major General Richard E. Webber, 24th AF Commander. "Our job to ensure the Air Force network supports the Joint warfighter mission is well underway."

Twenty-fourth Air Force, activated on Lackland Air Force Base August 18, 2009, is a component numbered Air Force subordinate to Air Force Space Command located at Peterson AFB, Colo.

"Cyberspace operations represent one of the critical and major areas of growth within the Air Force today," said General Webber. "The challenge of maintaining our freedom of action in cyberspace is of substantial importance to military operations around the world."

Twenty-fourth Air Force is comprised of the 67th Network Warfare and 688th Information Operations Wings, both located at Lackland AFB, and the 689th Combat Communications Wing, Robins AFB, Ga. The NAF is also supported by a substantial Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve presence across the country.

The 24th AF mission is to extend, operate and defend the Air Force portion of the DoD network and to provide full spectrum capabilities for the Joint warfighter.

"Cyber mission assurance is a top priority of the Air Force," added Major General Webber. "The domain we are tasked to operate within touches every part of the Air Force and joint mission."

For more information contact Air Force Space Command Public Affairs at 719-554-3731.