Sixteenth Air Force
US Air Force information warfare organization / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) (16 AF) is a United States Air Force (USAF) organization responsible for information warfare, which encompasses intelligence gathering and analysis, surveillance, reconnaissance, cyber warfare and electronic warfare operations. Its headquarters is at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas.
Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) | |
---|---|
Active | 1954–2006 2006–2008 2019–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Type | Numbered Air Force |
Role | |
Part of | Air Combat Command |
Headquarters | Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
Engagements | |
Decorations | |
Commanders | |
Commander | Lt Gen Kevin B. Kennedy Jr. |
Deputy Commander | Maj Gen Thomas K. Hensley |
Deputy Commander | Col Melissa A. Stone |
Command Chief | CMSgt Robert L. Hopkins |
Notable commanders | Winfield S. Harpe |
Insignia | |
Shield of Air Forces Cyber | |
Headquarters of Joint Force Headquarters – Cyber Air Force |
The organization was the first newly established Numbered Air Force (NAF) by the USAF after World War II. It was activated in 1954 as a Joint Military Group to provide command and control of USAF activities in Spain, being designated a NAF in 1956. In 1957, 16 AF was realigned under Strategic Air Command (SAC) to provide command and control of SAC bases and B-47 Stratojet rotational units assigned and deployed to Spain and Morocco.
In 1966, after SAC withdrew its forces from Europe, 16 AF became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe, providing command and control of USAFE forces initially in Spain and North Africa, and later in Italy and Turkey until 2006. It later became a provisional Air Expeditionary Task Force under USAFE as part of the Global War on Terrorism.