Twenty-Fourth Air Force

Numbered air force of the United States Air Force responsible for cyber forces From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Twenty-Fourth Air Force

Twenty-Fourth Air Force / Air Forces Cyber (AFCYBER)[4] was a Numbered Air Force within the United States Air Force. The Air Force consolidated its cyberspace combat and support forces into 24 AF.[5] 24 AF was the Air Force component of U.S. Cyber Command.

Quick Facts Active, Country ...
Twenty-Fourth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber)
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Shield of the Twenty-Fourth Air Force
Active7 December 2010 - 11 October 2019 (as Twenty-Fourth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber))
11 August 2009 - 7 December 2010 (as Twenty-Fourth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic))
(14 years, 4 months)[1]
Country United States of America
Branch United States Air Force
TypeNumbered Air Force
RoleProvide combat-ready air force cyber forces for U.S. Cyber Command[2]
Part of Air Combat Command
U.S. Cyber Command
HeadquartersJoint Base San Antonio, Texas, U.S.[3]
DecorationsThumb
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
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On 11 October 2019, the 24th AF was merged with the 25th AF to form a reactivated 16th Air Force.

Formation

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Perspective

The 24AF was originally intended to be a part of the now-defunct Air Force Cyber Command; however, 24AF became a component of Air Force Space Command on 18 August 2009.

In August 2008, then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz placed a stop order suspending implementation of Air Force Cyber Command, halting personnel assignments and unit activations. On 6 October 2008, following its annual Corona conference, the Air Force announced Air Force Cyber Command activation would not take place, and that a Numbered Air Force, 24AF, would gain the cyber warfare mission as part of Air Force Space Command.[6]

One key element under 24 AF is the Air Force's primary network warfare wing, the 67th Cyberspace Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The new NAF also gained:

Over 14,000 Airmen make up 24 AF. Many of these are in place at other organizations. Air Force units also host cyber specialists from other organizations. Before the 24 AF was activated, the Air Force had announced six possible locations for its headquarters: Barksdale AFB, LA; Lackland AFB, TX; Langley AFB, VA; Offutt AFB, NE; Peterson AFB, CO; and Scott AFB, IL.

On 15 May 2009, Air Force officials announced Lackland as the preferred alternative, and the decision was confirmed on 12 August 2009.[7] The organization officially stood-up on 18 August 2009.[8][9] On 22 January 2010, 24AF was certified by AFSPC/CC for its Initial Operational Capability.[10] Full Operational Capability was declared on 1 October 2010.[11]

History

In 2014, 24 AF provided the Cyber Mission Force for the Exercise Red Flag for the first time.[12] During U.S. Strategic Command's Exercise Global Lightning 14, 24AF operated as a Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber in support of a combatant commander during a large joint exercise for the first time.[13] Twenty-Fourth Air Force was reassigned to Air Combat Command on 17 July 2018.[14]

Units

List of commanders

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No. Commander Term
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
1
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Major General
Richard E. Webber[16]
11 August 200929 April 20111 year, 261 days
2
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Major General
Suzanne M. Vautrinot[18]
29 April 201131 June 20132 years, 62 days
3
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Major General
James K. McLaughlin[19]
31 June 201331 July 20141 year
4
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Major General
B. Edwin Wilson[20]
31 July 201417 June 20161 year, 322 days
5
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Major General
Christopher P. Weggeman
17 June 201617 July 20182 years
6
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Major General
Robert J. Skinner
17 July 201811 October 20191 year, 86 days
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See also

References

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