The Air Force’s new cyber operations arm, 24th Air Force, has reached the milestone known as full operational capability, Air Force Space Command announced Friday. This means that the new numbered air force, headquartered at Lackland AFB, Tex., has matured into an organization able to meet its full breadth of responsibilities. “Declaration of FOC means 24th Air Force is now a full operational partner on the joint cyber team,” said Gen. Robert Kehler, AFSPC boss, who made the FOC declaration. He added, “Cyberspace is critical to today’s joint military operations and 24th Air Force is proud to be the Air Force’s component to US Cyber Command.” USAF activated 24th AF in August 2009. It combines the service’s information operations, network warfare, and combat communications functions under one roof. “We’re proud of this significant milestone,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Webber, 24th AF commander. (Peterson release)
In a brief email Nov. 6, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth laid out a new Cyber Force Generation plan, meant to give U.S. Cyber Command more authority over the employment, training, and equipping of U.S. troops preparing for and waging cyber war. Former Air Force officers and national security officials say the…
