SecAF Kendall visits headquarters of IW warriors, addresses importance of ‘getting it right’

  • Published
  • By Matthew McGovern
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), the Air Force’s premier Information Warfare Numbered Air Force, welcomed Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall Oct. 30 - 31.
 
During the two-day visit, Kendall received mission briefings on 16th AF, 616th Operations Center, the 67th and 688th Cyberspace Wing, and saw how each organization integrates capabilities to counter adversaries in the Information Environment.   
 
He also held an hour-long all-call to address questions and give an update about the elevation of AFCYBER  to become a standalone Service Component Command at the Pfingston Reception Center, here.
 
“We are in a Great Power Competition, and we must treat it very seriously,” said Kendall to the more than 1,000 personnel in attendance. “I do not want to live in a world where we back down. If we don’t prepare ourselves and demonstrate that we’re here to fight, and if we do fight, we’re here to win.”
 
Last February, as part of the 24-key decisions for reoptimizing for Great Power competition, Kendall announced AFCYBER’s elevation, reflecting the importance of the cyber mission to the Joint Force and across the Department of the Air Force.
 
However, elevating cyber also means reorganizing 16th AF which is comprised of cyber, electromagnetic spectrum operations, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, information operations, weather as well as the service’s cryptologic component to the National Security Agency.
 
“We’re elevating our cyber forces and there are a lot of intertwined capabilities where we and [National Security Agency] particularly work together,” said Kendall. “At the end of the day what drives the decision is going to be what’s going to make us more competitive, what’s going to put us in a better position to compete with China, not just in near term, but over long-term strategic competition.”
 
During the SecAF’s visit, Lt. Gen. Thomas Hensley, 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) commander, highlighted the importance of 16th AF readiness during a time of rising threats and re-optimization for Great Power Competition.
 
Hensley, who took command in August, currently leads the Information Warfare organization that supports the Air Components by layering in those capabilities with their operations, activities and investments.
 
“Secretary Kendall has the responsibility of overseeing the department of the Air Force, as well as the Space Force and I think we’re all tracking his top three priorities: China, China, China,” said Hensley at the Pfingston Center.
“Looking at the current strategic environment, and looking at the future strategic environment,” added Hensley, “he has a very aggressive goal based on his vision of reoptimizing the entire Air Force for Great Power Competition.”
 
Prior to departure, Kendall coined the following Airmen for their outstanding contributions:
 
Lt. Col. Christopher Chin, 390th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, commander
1st Lt. Wendy Samayoa, 616th Operations Center 
Staff Sgt. Zachary Ingram, 33rd Cyberspace Operations Squadron
Staff Sgt. Ashton Threatt, 16th Air Force, Operations Division
 
Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, focuses on Information Warfare in the modern age. Information Warfare requires integrating Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance; Cyber Warfare; Electromagnetic Warfare; Weather; Public Affairs; and Information Operations capabilities.