Air Force working to build cyber warrior career fields

  • Published
  • By Karen Petitt
  • Air Force Cyber Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) --  Ever since the Air Force deemed cyberspace a warfighting domain, it's been busy preparing for a new command that will have the right technology, systems and resources required to fight in this realm.

The Air Force Cyber Command, which is in a provisional status until this fall, is also working to ensure its Airmen will have the right skills, training and education for its complex missions.

To do that, force development teams are building a new cadre of cyber professionals groomed to "fly, fight, and win" in cyberspace. It's a plan that may take several years to fully implement, but the command has already begun to identify and train this new breed of combat warrior.

"Right now we're taking some of our existing career fields and adapting them to meet the warfighting needs of this new domain," said Chief Master Sgt. Frank Ostrander, the chief of cyber force integration. "Along with bringing new career fields online, there is also an effort to standardize guidance, develop training and pave a path for professional development."

He said the Air Force is consolidating and transforming to accommodate its smaller workforce and that recent cuts have been especially deep throughout the entire communications and information career fields. Consolidation was bound to happen but the driving force now is spurred by the advent of a command dedicated to fighting in the cyberspace domain.

Helping the Air Force develop career paths that fulfill several cyber warfighting roles is Maj. Timothy Franz, Air Force Cyber Command chief of force development, who outlined the need for cyber operators, technicians, analysts and developers.

Whether for offensive or defensive operations, these warriors will plan, direct and execute offensive/defensive actions in and through the domain. They'll also collect data, and target systems or networks and engineer development of tools and weapons. Finally, they'll leverage technical and functional expertise to build and sustain the domain in which all Air Force operations rely.

"We have some draft proposals of what our forces will eventually look like, but we're still defining those constructs, the education and training paths and career force development strategies," said the major. "Keep in mind that this is a change in culture, not just a redressing of the communications and electronic warfare communities, so there's a lot to consider."

These cyberspace professionals will encompass officer, enlisted and civilian forces, as well as active-duty, Guard and Reserve personnel. Airmen will be grounded in cyberspace fundamentals and then receive advanced training depending on their specialty and assigned unit.

Some of that grounding has already been developed and is being taught to young officers and enlisted members at the Undergraduate Network Warfare Training course held at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Developed and delivered at the 39th Information Operations Squadron there, the UNWT is a 38 academic-day course which trains Airmen to take a nontraditional approach to network warfare. It also trains them to recognize and respond to attacks not only on conventional networks, but also in other arenas susceptible to attack.

In addition, all Airmen will start to see fundamental cyberspace training when they enter the Air Force and during their various professional military schools.

People affected by the specific career field changes can expect to see some movement later this year as career fields are merged or created, and as additional training is implemented.

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