Intermediate Network Warfare Training up and running Published March 3, 2011 By Capt. Kinder Blacke Air Force Space Command Public Affairs Peterson AFB, Co. -- Last month, 17 students began the first Intermediate Network Warfare Training at the 39th Information Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla., the Air Force's premier Cyber and Information Operations training unit. The 42-day course began Feb. 2 and features a syllabus geared to the needs of cyber operators in the field, according to 1st Lt. Michelle Buchholtz, Influence flight commander and instructor, 39 IOS. "Students learn advanced Cyber Operations fundamentals including policy, doctrine, employment, executing organizations and missions, operational functions, and law and ethics," she said. INWT is designed to provide Network Warfare Operations Initial Qualification Training for cyber operators to become Cyberspace Basic Mission Qualified and is open to Airmen who have completed Initial Skills Training or Supplemental Skills Training either through the Undergraduate Network Warfare Training Course at Hurlburt Field, the Undergraduate Cyber Training Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., or the Network Warfare Bridge Course at Hurlburt Field (for cyber professionals who are not eligible for UCT but need prerequisite skills to successfully complete IQT). "Intermediate Network Warfare Training serves as initial qualification training for personnel actively defending global Air Force networks. Our advanced cyber training forges the skills, capabilities, and relationships which will ensure a robust, professional cyber force prepared to execute the full spectrum of Air Force cyber operations," said Lieutenant Col. Brian Denman, commander, 39 IOS. As these cyber operators progress through their training pipeline, they will focus on several critical areas including mission employment and coordination of Network Attack , Network Defense, and Network Warfare Support activities, Lieutenant Buchholtz said. And as the cyber world is constantly changing, so is the course material. "The 39 IOS continuously revises current courses and develops new ones to keep pace with the rapidly changing information operations and cyber warfare mission areas," Lieutenant Buchholtz explained. Since this is the first iteration of the INWT course, the validation phase, feedback received from the graduating students will help refine and tailor course material to the dynamic cyber warfare mission for future iterations of the class, she said. Lieutenant Buchholtz concluded that the schoolhouse hopes to host eight INWT courses per year with an average of 24 students each, and adequately train cyber operators who can meet the demands of the cyber warfare mission and embrace the essential concepts that cyber operators must understand to be successful in the dynamic cyber domain.