Initial cyber INWT class graduates

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- Sixteen Airmen graduated from the first Intermediate Network Warfare Training class here March 31.

Members of the 39th Information Operations Squadron developed the nine-week course to serve as initial-qualification training for cyber defense operators.

The Airmen created the course in six months, and they added it to the cyber defense operations training pipeline.

"Our instructors carry a significant load, not just as trainers, but also as curriculum developers and, in some cases, combat mission ready operators," said Lt. Col. Brian Denman, the 39th IOS commander.

Colonel Denman said the course successfully merged personnel from three different training sources: Undergraduate Cyber Training, graduates of the former Undergraduate Network Warfare Training course and Network Warfare Bridge Course graduates. Many graduates attended INWT on their way to assignments to serve as the initial cadre for the Cyber Weapons Instructor Course.

The 39th IOS commander said the unit's next challenges include building and transitioning mission qualification training for cyber missions to the unit. MQT graduates are required to be competent operators capable of obtaining combat-mission-ready qualification within 15 days of arriving at their operational units.

"Under the old paradigm, a crew member might take from six to 18 months to qualify on their mission systems," Colonel Denman said. "Depending on the unit, an Airman could spend 25 to 50 percent of their time at an assignment attempting to meet basic-mission qualifications. Our objective is to maximize the time a trained crew member is available to their unit to actually do the mission."

Colonel Denman said INWT raised the bar for network warfare training by building upon and surpassing the previous flagship course -- UNWT.

"INWT takes cyber training to the next level, and we're excited for the field to see what these graduates, and those who follow, can do," he said.

Second Lt. Robina Gibson, a distinguished graduate from the initial INWT course, said she learned how powerful a tool cyber operations can be and the importance of continually focusing and refining.

"I believe the steps we've made have been in the right direction," she said. "It's exciting to be here for the beginning of this new advancement in the Air Force."

Randall Brazelton, the 39th IOS course director for both INWT and the Network Warfare Bridge Course, said his team is very dedicated to the mission and passionate about training cyberspace warriors.

"Our goals are to ensure our graduates have the knowledge, skills and abilities to continually improve our operational position in cyberspace, integrate cyber capabilities into operations and create cyberspace effects to support the warfighter," Mr. Brazelton said.

Mr. Brazelton said an INWT graduate, at their core, offers mission and operational competency.

"A graduate not only understands the cognitive aspects of cyber operations, but also has the hands-on skills capable of executing operations in the cyberspace," he said. "They understand theory and are capable of applying it to network warfare tasks."

Air Force standards in initial-qualification training drove the need for INWT, Mr. Brazelton said. This course meets the need for a cyber IQT.

"The stand up of cyber IQT, like the stand up of cyber initial skills training, represents a key step toward true normalization of operational cyber training, creation of a common standard for cyber operators, and, at the bottom line, more effective Airmen capable of mastering operations in a heavily contested cyberspace domain," Mr. Brazelton said.

Colonel Denman said prior to UCT, NWBC, and INWT being available, a commander with a combat mission had varying degrees of experience expectations from a new arrival; zero to fully qualified. He said typically, the gaining commander was required to fund different in-house training programs, all the while not having the individual available for mission activities.

"With the training pipeline in place, a commander will know what to expect from a new INWT cyber graduate and will have them on-station for mission activities longer," Colonel Denman said. "INWT 11-01 represents a key step in the evolution of the operational cyber force for our Air Force.

"As our training paradigm matures, the operational cyber training pipeline will look very similar to other operational training constructs within the Air Force, such as pilot, space operations, electronic warfare, and special operations training," he said. "Operational cyber training, as it evolves, will continue to combine elements from all these constructs, as well as continue to grow those methodologies that are unique to the cyber mission."