Eighth Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Robert Elder says the Air Force’s ability to use precision weapons and deal with multiple targets is tied to how the service works in cyberspace. SSgt. Matthew Rosine reports from Barksdale AFB, La., cyber-central for the Air Force, that Elder expects to stand up the new Cyber Command this fall provisionally at Barksdale. Elder believes that the Air Force, which he describes as a “global service,” conducts its operations effectively and efficiently with centralized control but decentralized execution “because our control of cyberspace is so good.”
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.