Kehler Sees Natural Fit With Cyberspace

Kehler Sees Natural Fit With Cyberspace: Air Force Space Command will lose about 3,000 slots as it divests itself of its ICBM mission and absorbs the growing cyberwarfare role, taking on the new 24th Air Force, the service’s new cyberspace central. The Air Force is placing the ICBM force under the new Air Force Global Strike Command, along with nuclear-capable bombers. AFSPC boss Gen. Robert Kehler, speaking with reporters during a Space Foundation symposium in Colorado, said AFSPC would shift some 10,000 ICBM slots over to AFGSC over the next eight to 10 months and pick up some 7,000 positions with acquisition of 24th AF. “We think there are synergies,” Kehler said of the space and cyberspace mission areas, adding that much of what currently is performed in 14th Air Force (headquartered at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.) could be considered cyberspace operations. “It’s about moving and protecting ones and zeroes,” he added. Of the 7,000 cyber slots flowing into AFSPC, a portion will be Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command as well as contract support personnel—many of whom are currently working in other areas, such as the Air Force Communications Agency. As for the 24th AF headquarters location, Kehler said he anticipates the bed down location announcement in “the next couple of weeks” and is anticipating achieving initial operational capability in the fall.

—Marc V. Schanz

4/1/2009

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Appreciative Host
"I know you're here during a difficult time. You're here through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. I promise you, we will find turkeys."
—Republic of Lithuania Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, expressing his thanks to airmen of the 493rd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, Britain, who on Sept. 1, 2010, began a four-month stint with their F-15s in Lithuania to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under NATO's Baltic air policing mission.

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Family Momentum
"In many ways, this was what the Year of the Air Force Family was all about—connecting airmen and their families with the resources they need. I have confidence the Air Force will capitalize on this strong momentum in the years ahead by continuing to improve our family support programs and ensuring people know what resources are available."
—Suzie Schwartz, wife of USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, commenting on the accomplishments of the Year of the Air Force Family initiative that concluded in July, in a statement provided to the Daily Report, Aug. 22, 2010.