Space Command Inspector General: 24th Air Force ready for full operations

  • Published
  • By Capt. Christine D. Millette
  • 24th Air Force Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Headquarters Air Force Space Command Inspector General team concluded a four-day, full operational capability assessment of 24th Air Force units here today with a briefing to the commander stating that the numbered Air Force and its subordinate units are "ready" to be declared fully operationally capable.

"Considering the fact that 24th AF was created to stop bad people from trying to harm Americans and our way of life," said Col. Scott Gilson, the AFSPC IG, "it is extremely appropriate that we have completed this assessment and have determined 24th AF and the 624th Operations Center ready to assume full operational capability on the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001."

The goal of the assessment was to evaluate the unit's ability to conduct U.S. Air Force network operations, to command and control the USAF network, and its ability to ensure mission assurance for the Air Force mission.

"In its just over 13 months of existence, the men and women of 24th AF have worked hard to operationalize and normalize cyber operations throughout the Air Force," said Maj. Gen. Richard E. Webber, 24th AF commander. "Mission assurance is the number one goal in current cyber operations, versus the old paradigm of information assurance. Our people have really moved the service forward, finding ways to work through the contested environment, and will continue to use their creativity and skill to keep us at the cutting edge of operations in cyberspace."

The inspection team reported their findings to AFSPC leaders, including the commander, Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler, who is expected to make the final decision and announcement on 24th Air Force's full operational capability in the next few weeks.

Major command inspections and exercises are common for operational units across the Air Force, and like other operational units, the 24th Air Force is required to conduct assigned missions while coping with additional inspection scenarios.
The inspection team evaluated the unit's ability to respond to a variety of threats that could impact the Air Force portion of the DOD networks using both crisis action and deliberate planning processes.

"This inspection was similar to the one we conducted just before Christmas, to determine if the 24th AF was at the initial operating capability level," Colonel Gilson said. "During this inspection, the observation we made while 24th AF personnel reacted simultaneously to the exercise scenarios, and to real-world events, made us realize this is a much more robust operation than those outside of the organization have perceived."

The assessment was observed by representatives from the joint community, including the U.S. Cyber Command IG, leaders from Marine Forces Cyber Command, Army Forces Cyber Command, and 12th AF.

"It is exciting and humbling to be part of this new evolution in Air Force operations," General Webber said. "The people we have on staff and running our day-to-day missions, right down to our newest mission-capable operators working on the floor of our operations centers, are some of the most intelligent, skilled, adaptive Airmen that the Air Force has seen in its 63 years of existence. I look forward to our success as we continue to strengthen and grow our new capabilities."