Two units redesignate to test, integrate air, space, cyber C2 domains

  • Published
  • By Bill Dowell
  • 505th Command and Control Wing Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) --  To effectively test and integrate operational air, space and cyber command and control, or C2, domains, two units redesignated as test organizations here April 5.

The 505th Operations Group and 505th Operations Squadron became the 505th Test and Evaluation Group and 505th Test Squadron. The units are part of the 505th Command and Control Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

"These changes align the group and squadron with a revised mission focus, creating a persistent infrastructure to address integration seams," said Col. Edward McKinzie, the 505th CCW commander. "This will take C2 integration to the next level for the Air Force and its joint and coalition partners."

While planned for more than a year, the redesignation and revised mission focus complement an independent C2 Training Campus Study completed in January. The study recommends standardizing and consolidating C2 training across air, space and cyberdomains and helps meet the Defense Department's next generation of training strategy, intended to foster a path for revolutionary training.

The 505th TEG will advance air, space, cyber and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, capability integration, and tactics, techniques and procedures, or TTP, development. The group also serves as Air Combat Command's operational test organization for operational-level C2 focusing on theater air control systems and ISR weapons systems. In addition, the group oversees monitoring, evaluating and optimizing of air defense radar networks.

"We will be able to enhance the full spectrum of C2 with an array of capabilities to provide an effective integration of our air, space and cyber capabilities," Colonel McKinzie said.

During redesignation ceremony speeches, Colonel McKinzie and Col. Douglas Anderson, the 505th TEG commander, praised Air Force leadership for their vision and support of the C2 community.

Leaders from Nellis AFB and the C2 and testing community were present and Colonel Anderson went on to thank them for the support already being given.

He also talked about Red Flag 11-3, a historic exercise given space and cyber forces were fully integrated from planning through execution and participated in the Combined Air and Space Operations Center-Nellis, or CAOC-N.

Red Flag exercises are typically thought of as air combat exercises, where pilots can get their first 10 "combat" sorties. This is also the case for C2 operators, space and cyberprofessionals supporting Red Flags in the CAOC-N, which is run by the now 505th TS.

"C2, ISR, cyber and space were there fully engaged and we gathered some really outstanding lessons learned which are extremely valuable," Colonel Anderson said. "We have already begun planning Red Flag 12-3, and with the support of the entire community it will be even better than 11-3."

The 505th CCW's mission is to improve warfighter capability through C2 testing, tactics development and training. During 2010, the wing trained more than 85,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and coalition forces. The wing Airmen, through a multi-disciplinary approach, provide training and TTP development for Component Number Air Force headquarters; testing and training of key C2 and ISR systems; and comprehensive, realistic, cutting-edge operational and tactical-level live, virtual and constructive exercises for joint and coalition forces.