To further its efforts to include “cyberspace” as a real domain where it must conduct operations, the Air Force not only added the term to its mission statement but also has created the Air Force Cyberspace Task Force, headed by Lani Kass, a former professor of strategy at the National War College. She says, “We have to be able to give commanders the ability to conduct offensive, defensive, and exploitation operations.” The job of the task force will be to evaluate gaps and vulnerabilities and project new capabilities. Kass cautions, “Anything we can create to exploit and control in cyberspace can be done to us and done cheaper and faster.”
The incoming head of the 7th Air Force will face an intense mission while relying on 4th-generation fighters to stave off looming threats from North Korea and China.