U.S. Air Force moves forward cyber warfare

The U.S. Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center (AF GCIC) took a step forward in the Air Force’s effort to “Fly and Fight in Cyberspace” following the signing of a new mission directive. The directive, signed by Lt. Gen. Michael Peterson, Air Force Warfighting Integration and chief information officer for the secretary of the Air Force, outlines the new role the AF GCIC will assume. The AF GCIC will be responsible for enabling what it describes as “global decision superiority” across air, space, and cyberspace components by improving information quality and speed through assured delivery and quality of service. “Our core business is to integrate warfighting command and control systems. We will enable AFCYBER to support combatant commanders throughout the full range of military operations,” said Brig. Gen. Mike McClendon, AF GCIC commander. “Our focus is to get the right information to the right people at the right time in a format enabling warfighters to effectively and efficiently make superior tactical, operational and strategic decisions.”

Note that the AF GCIC is slated to merge into AFCYBER when the full major command stands up next year, taking their mission and personnel into a virtual MAJCOM headquarters. AF GCIC will remain in their location outside of Langley AFB in Virginia. In the interim, they are partners in AFCYBER (Provisional) working details supporting the standup of Air Force Cyber Command. Cyberspace became an official Air Force domain 7 December 2005, and Barksdale AFB, Louisiana was announced as the headquarters location for the Air Force’s provisional Cyber Command on 18 September. A permanent location for the Air Force’s Cyber Command has not yet been determined.