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CSAF Allvin Adds Details, Articulates His ‘Nonstop’ Commitment to ‘Reoptimize’

Sunday, June 23rd, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

Adding detail and context to an ambitious effort for “reoptimizing” the Air Force, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said in separate appearances June 13 and 14 that changing the way the Total Force trains, plans, modernizes, and is equipped must succeed for the Air Force to meet emerging challenges from China and other competitors.

Speaking first at an Air & Space Warfighters in Action session June 13, Allvin said the Air Force has made real and tangible progress instituting elements of a broad strategy announced in February to evolve how the Air Force develops people, generates readiness, projects power, and develops integrated capabilities.

Allvin pointed out, for example, progress in reinstituting warrant officers to help fill and keep personnel with in-demand skills such as cyber and information technology. That effort, he said, is well underway, with the warrant officer selection board scheduled to convene this month and the announcement of selects tentatively scheduled for late July.

The service started soliciting applications from April 25 to May 31 for Airmen aspiring to become the inaugural cohort of warrant officers in information technology and cyber careers.

He also provided an unambiguous rationale for the undertaking and why Air Force leaders insist on pushing it forward with urgency.

“We are finding that it is more difficult to retain the cyber talent that we spend a lot of time investing in, and that is going to be so critical to us going forward,” Allvin said at AFA. “We believe this is going to be a good path to ensure that we have the talent for today and tomorrow in a very cyber-heavy force that we’re going to need.”

Separate efforts to assemble, train, and deploy so-called “Air Task Forces” are moving briskly. These units will work and train together throughout the AFFORGENcycle to deploy as Units of Action in fiscal year 2026. The introduction of ATFs marks a significant milestone in the journey toward modernization and readiness, laying the groundwork to ensure the Air Force maintains a competitive advantage over the pacing challenge, he said.

“We have an advancing threat the likes of which we haven’t seen for decades,” Allvin said at AFA. He went on to say, “a key piece of reoptimization is taking all our Airmen and developing them with a common understanding of that threat … That’s central to being ‘Mission Ready Airmen’.”

In addition to understanding the threat, Mission Ready Airmen comprehend the service’s unique and inherent capabilities to defend against the threat.

“If we believe that the future of national defense and the joint force is going to require some of the attributes that exist in our air and space forces, then we have a requirement to not only be able to participate in the joint force, we need to be leading it. The character of war is privileging the things that airpower has been doing for a long time.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen David Allvin

In a media session June 14 at the Pentagon, Allvin expounded on his comments from the day prior and discussed the need to be “One Air Force.”

“We are taking an Air Force that has been somewhat fragmented due to the strategic environment over the years and really better aligning it and coming back to be one Air Force with one force design, one unit of action type, and one Airmen development concept,” he told a group of reporters.

Near the end of the hour-long session with reporters, Allvin articulated his long-term commitment to the reoptimization effort and better integrating the force.

“I got about a little less than three and a half years left [as Chief of Staff] … and this [reoptimization] is what I am going to be about. It will be nonstop. That I can promise you,” Allvin said.

By TSgt Nicholas G. Koetz

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms | Comments Off on CSAF Allvin Adds Details, Articulates His ‘Nonstop’ Commitment to ‘Reoptimize’

Air Force Special Operations Command Demonstrates Ability to Support Joint Force Readiness and Resilience Through Real-Time Onboard Data Collection

Saturday, June 22nd, 2024

AFSOC Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

Air Force Special Operations Command gathered members of Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logis tics, AFSOC Staff, Cyber Mission Defense Teams (MDTs), and maintenance personnel here to demonstrate its latest capability to collect and analyze onboard data from an operational MC-130 aircraft, detect cybersecurity and maintenance anomalies in real-time, and stream data and anomalies into a Department of Defense cloud environment. This demonstrated AFSOC’s ability to support joint force readiness and resilience through real-time onboard data collection, detection, and alerting capabilities from the tactical edge.

The demonstration utilized commercial off the shelf observability platform which collected and analyzed aircraft data as it was generated during flight, revealing a set of simulated operational and cybersecurity anomalies which were streamed to the MDT ground station. Once received, the MDT streamed the alerts and corresponding data into a joint cloud instance in real-time for further analysis, enabling cybersecurity, maintenance, and intelligence analysis use across the joint force.

“To evolve and outpace the adversary, AFSOC must embrace change that will enable technical overmatch during high-end conflict and long-term strategic competition. Gaining real-time or near real-time observability into operational aircraft gives us the ability to develop countermeasures to overcome enemy cyber-attacks, generate force readiness, and improve mission capable rates,” said Col Alfredo Corbett, AFSOC Director, Cyber & C4 Systems.

AFSOC currently leverages equipment to gain observability into the onboard operational technology generated by the MC-130 aircraft. Hardware captures, analyzes, detects, and alerts on anomalies at the edge, enabling real-time maintenance and cybersecurity monitoring, insights and intelligence, and the ability to build and deploy new detections. By integrating the alerts and data into the DoD cloud environment, AFSOC demonstrates its ability to support DoD modernization efforts, enabling it to improve the readiness, survivability, and lethality of vehicles fleet wide.

Posted in Air Force, Cyber, Guest Post, SOF | Comments Off on Air Force Special Operations Command Demonstrates Ability to Support Joint Force Readiness and Resilience Through Real-Time Onboard Data Collection

Department of the Air Force Launches NIPRGPT

Wednesday, June 19th, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

As part of its ongoing modernization efforts, the Department of the Air Force chief information officer, in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, is accelerating initiatives to provide Guardians, Airmen, civilian employees, and contractors the ability to responsibly experiment with Generative AI, with adequate safeguards in place.

DAF senior leaders are focused on maximizing competitive advantage, recognizing that Airmen and Guardians need advanced technologies at the speed of relevance. To that end, the DAF is launching NIPRGPT, an experimental bridge to leverage GenAI on the Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network while continuing to explore maturing industry solutions.

“Our recent GenAI Roundtables with industry and academia have shown us this is an actively growing field,” said Venice Goodwine, DAF chief information officer. “Now is the time to give our Airmen and Guardians the flexibility to develop the necessary skills in parallel. There are multiple modernization efforts going on right now across the federal government and within the DAF to get tools in the hands of the workforce. This tool is another one of those efforts.”

NIPRGPT is part of the Dark Saber software platform developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate in Rome, New York. Dark Saber is an ecosystem of Airmen and Guardians from across the DAF that brings together innovators and developers and equips them to create next-generation software and operational capabilities deployable to the Force at a rapid pace.

At no additional cost to the unit or the users, NIPRGPT is an AI chatbot that allows users to have human-like conversations to complete various tasks. The CAC-enabled GenAI tool can answer questions and assist with tasks such as correspondence, background papers and code, all within a secure computing environment.

“Technology is learned by doing,” Chandra Donelson, the DAF’s acting chief data and artificial intelligence officer, said in a statement. “As our warfighters, who are closest to the problems, are learning the technology, we are leveraging their insights to inform future policy, acquisition and investment decisions.”

The experiment is an opportunity to facilitate real-world testing, focusing on key metrics such as computational efficiency, resource utilization, security compliance, etc., to understand GenAI’s practical applications and challenges and ensure that future implementation is effective and efficient. The platform includes user feedback opportunities to help develop governing policies and enable informed conversations with vendors as the DAF works to incorporate these tools into its operations.

“NIPRGPT is a critical bridge to ensure we get the best tools we have into our team’s hands while larger commercial tools are navigating our intense security parameters and other processes,” said Alexis Bonnell, AFRL chief information officer. “Changing how we interact with unstructured knowledge is not instant perfection; we each must learn to use the tools, query, and get the best results. NIPRGPT will allow Airmen and Guardians to explore and build skills and familiarity as more powerful tools become available.”

Civilian and uniformed Airmen and Guardians, as well as contractors who are CAC holders, can register for NIPRGPT access here: niprgpt.mil. The system has a limited number of users available to be registered during the experiment. After capacity has been reached, individuals seeking access will be put on a waitlist.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in AI / ML, Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on Department of the Air Force Launches NIPRGPT

AFSFC Reaches Final Phase of Fielding Model Defender Gear

Tuesday, June 18th, 2024

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) —

A four-year initiative to modernize the day-to-day equipment of active-duty Air Force security forces defenders reached its fifth and final phase recently with the award of a $39 million contract for state-of-the-art defender gear.

In addition to securing the contract award through the Air Force Installation Contracting Center’s 773rd Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, the Air Force Security Forces Center worked with Air Force Materiel Command logisticians to get the equipment into the Logistics Readiness Inventory Control System.

“Because of this effort, not only will it be easier to account for equipment, defenders will now be able to move from one installation to another with their Model Defender Individual Equipment Kit under the Gear for Life program,” said Master Sgt. Derek Walton, AFSFC Model Defender and Gear for Life program manager. “This means they will no longer need to have that equipment issued at each installation as they progress in their careers.”

At the direction of Air Force Security Forces, the Model Defender initiative began in June 2020 with a focus on standardizing must-have daily gear for every defender in the Department of the Air Force.

“The establishment of the Model Defender Individual Equipment Kit was crucial as it standardized gear across the Air Force security forces enterprise enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring the safety and professional appearance of personnel and fostering modernization within the Total Force,” said Dennis Rodriguez, AFSFC individual protective equipment branch chief.

AFSFC started the new initiative by developing a standardized equipment list of 23 items which was then coordinated, amended and approved through major commands and security forces headquarters. This resulted in a final Model Defender Individual Equipment Kit.

Working with industry and Air Force contracting partners, the center then conducted phase 1 testing of state-of-the-art equipment using active-duty, National Guard Bureau and Air Force Reserve Commanddefenders in the San Antonio area.

“This collaborative effort with industry partners for phase 1 testing also streamlined the acquisition process, ensuring that all security forces are well equipped and ready for their duties,” Rodriguez said.

Based on testing results, AFSFC continued to phase 2 for expanded day-to-day testing at eight installations across four major commands, and phase 3 where the center consolidated and scrutinized collected data before presenting their findings to the Air Force Equipment and Weapons Configuration Board for validation.

During both of these phases, AFSFC worked with AFICC’s contracting experts for an acquisition strategy that would move the purchase forward once decisions were made about what equipment was best for the defender force.

“By conducting ongoing testing with the consolidation and analysis of test results, we were able to swiftly transition through the phases,” Rodriguez said. “This parallel processing allowed for immediate adjustments and expedited the validation and acquisition processes.”

As a result, the equipment procurement plan was set to go immediately after the team confirmed the best equipment for the security forces enterprise, he added.

Phase 4, the first purchase of Model Defender kit equipment took place May 2023 with Blue Force Gear and marked a significant milestone in the timeline.

“Blue Force Gear developed a kit specifically to meet the needs of our security forces enterprise,” Walton said. “Their laser cut technology is cutting edge and integrates seamlessly with the body armor solution that was selected by the Air Force.”

Upon receiving the initial small equipment purchase, the AFSFC team shifted focus to begin collaboration with Headquarters Air Force.

“The goal was to integrate the Model Defender items into the supply system through the Gear for Life initiative,” Rodriguez said. “Which was crucial for us to ensure the newly acquired equipment would be seamlessly incorporated into the broader system, enhancing the overall readiness and capability of the SF enterprise.”

“Our collaboration with headquarters was pivotal,” he added. “Integrating the Model Defender equipment into the Gear for Life initiative is not just a step, it’s a leap toward equipping defenders with the tools they need to face the future head-on.”

The final phase award was the career field’s largest purchase ever when the full contract of $39 million was awarded to Blue Force Gear in April.

Equipment rollout to the field is expected to begin in December with full delivery to the field by early 2025.

The finalized Model Defender kit consists of:
– M-4 magazine pouches
– M-18 magazine pouches
– Dump pouches (for easily stowing a variety of items like empty magazines)
– Holster adapters
– Mollie belts (a webbed belt that allows gear to be attached in a variety of configurations)
– Utility and handcuff pouches
– Flashlight and baton pouches

By Debbie Aragon, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Public Affairs

Posted in Advertiser, Air Force, Armor, Guest Post, LE, Load Carrying | Comments Off on AFSFC Reaches Final Phase of Fielding Model Defender Gear

DPAA Recovery Team Works to Bring Home WWII Service Member in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Friday, June 14th, 2024

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA —

A Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recovery team finished a joint field activity (JFA) in Bosnia and Herzegovina on May 31, 2024. They worked carefully with local officials and the U.S. Embassy to attempt to recover the remains of a U.S. service member missing since World War II. This team, composed of specialists from various fields, is united by a common mission: to bring our fallen heroes back home.

DPAA conducts extensive historical research on each case before excavation. Matt Cheser, a historian working at DPAA assigned to the Bosnian region, emphasized the importance of the work.

“There are still approximately 12 personnel missing from World War II in Bosnia,” Cheser stated. “It is our sacred obligation to bring them home.”

DPAA is committed to providing closure and peace to the families of the missing. To achieve this, each team deploys either a forensic anthropologist or forensic archaeologist as a scientific recovery expert (SRE) to study each case and lead excavations. This recovery team’s SRE, Dr. Laurel Freas, a DPAA forensic anthropologist, has been with the agency for 15 years. She explained how her extensive experience has prepared her for this mission.

“Every field mission I’ve done in the past has taught me important lessons that help me prepare for each new, upcoming mission,” Freas said. “For this mission, the most valuable past experiences relate to traveling to a new country, interacting with local officials we’ve never met before and who’ve never collaborated with DPAA before, and working with the team to bridge our differences in culture and language to convey the humanitarian nature of the agency’s mission.”

Freas highlighted the importance of earning trust and support from local officials.

“On this mission, we’ve been very fortunate to have excellent support from the local health inspector who has jurisdiction over the site where we were working,” said Freas. “I attribute that to the professionalism and dedication of the entire team.”

Garnering support from local officials is imperative to mission success but each mission and case are special and hold their own unique set of challenges.

“On most of my past missions, we were working in remote and isolated areas that are difficult to find, and even harder to get to,” said Freas. “On this mission, we’ve been working in and around a well-known local memorial monument, with all the concerns and sensitivities that go with that. It’s very important that we be conscious of our activities at all times, to make sure we’re always being respectful to the space we are working in.”

To face this challenge head-on and ensure collaboration success, DPAA works in partnership with multiple different organizations, commands, and programs. They acquire short term individual augmentees (STIA), such as linguists, who are valuable assets on every recovery team. Among the team members was U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Nikola Bozic, a STIA linguist who previously assisted the DPAA in investigating this case back in 2022. Bozic’s unique language skills and cultural awareness proved invaluable for navigating the complex cultural landscape of Bosnia. His expertise, combined with the wonderful hospitality of the local officials, ensured the entire mission ran smoothly.

“Growing up in Bosnia has had a profound impact on how I approached various situations during our mission,” Bozic shared. “My deep understanding of the local culture and customs has allowed me to bridge the gap in understanding how the local community perceives our team’s efforts. This understanding has been crucial in navigating sensitive conversations and building trust, leading to more successful operations.”

To gain a better understanding of not only the language but the cultures and customs, linguist such as Bozic undergo extensive training in their backgrounds. Bozic received further training from the Air Force Cultural Language Center, specifically through the Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) and eMentor language training.

“This training has equipped me with practical skills for current and future DPAA missions or partnerships,” Bozic noted. “It has underscored the importance of cultural understanding in our missions.”

Prior to 2022, Bozic never thought that his training would contribute to such an operation.

“I was initially unaware of what DPAA does,” said Bozic. “However, after participating in DPAA missions, I can confidently say that these were the most fulfilling experiences of my military career. These missions allowed me to contribute to a noble cause and help bring back our missing service members. If given the opportunity to be part of DPAA’s missions, I highly recommend seizing the chance to do something that you will remember positively for the rest of your life.”

Bozic is one of the many linguists invited back by DPAA to increase mission success. He, like other STIAs, returns because he holds a deep belief in DPAA’s mission.

“It’s a noble cause dedicated to locating and bringing home the remains of missing service members.” Bozic said. “The tireless work of DPAA signifies its commitment to fulfilling the promise made to our service members that they will never be forgotten or left behind. This dedication offers reassurance to families that one day, their loved ones’ remains will be located and returned home.”

Freas echoed this feeling, stating, “I feel incredibly honored and privileged to be a part of DPAA and contribute to the Agency’s mission. I am proud of the work we do to provide answers to the families of the missing.”

As the DPAA team continues its work in Bosnia, they carry with them the hope and determination to bring closure to the families of those who served and sacrificed so much during World War II. Their efforts are a testament to the enduring promise that no service member will ever be forgotten.

See the full image gallery here: Bosnia and Herzegovina

By SSgt John Miller

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, History, Memorial | Comments Off on DPAA Recovery Team Works to Bring Home WWII Service Member in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Space Force to Accept Air Force Reserve Volunteers for Full-Time Positions

Saturday, June 1st, 2024

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

Air Force Reservists in space-related career fields interested in volunteering for the U.S. Space Force in a fulltime capacity can expect the application window to open June 1–Nov. 30, 2024.

This transfer option is part of the Space Force Personnel Management Act (PMA), approved by Congress and signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.

When fully implemented, the PMA will enable the Space Force to create a new model of service that integrates active-component Guardians and Air Force Reservists serving in space-focused career fields into a unified service that offers both full- and part-time service options.

“This is an important first step toward fully integrating critical space expertise from the Reserve into our force,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. “We’ve been serving side-by-side together, supporting the same mission, for longer than the Space Force has existed. I’m excited to officially call the teammates who decide to transfer Guardians.”

Air Force Reservists who hold the below Air Force Specialty Codes are eligible to apply for transfer into the Space Force in full-time capacity:

Officers: 13S – Space Operations, 17X – Cyberspace Operations, 14N – Intelligence, 62E – Developmental Engineer, 63A – Acquisition Manager, and 61X – Scientist. Officers selected from the 6X career field will re-core to a 62E or 63A since Space Force does not maintain that career specialty.

Enlisted: 1C6 – Space Systems Operations, 1N0 – Intelligence, 1N1 – Imagery Analysis, 1N2 – Sigint, 1N3 – Cryptologic Language Analyst, 1N4 – Network Intelligence Analysis, 1N8 – Targeting Analyst, 1D7X1 – Cyber Defense Operations, 1D7X2 – Spectrum Operations Technician, and 1D7X3 – Cable and Antennae Defense Operations.

“The Space Force is about to integrate some of the most talented space operators,” said Chief of the Air force Reserve and Air force Reserve Command Commander Lt. Gen. John Healy. “I have no doubt they will be key to advancing security in the space domain.”

In time, the Air Force Reserve, like the Air Force, will no longer maintain space operations as career fields, meaning Reservists with 13S and 1C6 specialties must transfer to the Space Force in either a full- or part-time position, or re-train under a different Air Force Specialty Code.

Application windows for Air Force Reservists interested in transferring to the Space Force in a part-time capacity are expected to open in 2026 once policies, processes and systems are established. The PMA does not currently apply to space units and personnel currently resident in the Air National Guard; however, Guard members could expect a similar process to their Reserve counterparts after authorized and appropriate legal and policy changes.
Interested Air Force Reservists can apply via MyVector and can access additional application details and requirements on the Space Force Transfer page.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, Space, TacJobs | 3 Comments »

US, NATO Forces Showcase Tactics, Integration During Astral Knight 2024

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024

GDYNIA, Poland (AFNS) —

NATO’s exercise Astral Knight 2024 concluded May 18 in Gdynia, demonstrating joint force interoperability and strategic readiness between U.S. forces and NATO allies. The exercise allowed the incorporation of the Special Warfare Teaming Concept, involving the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron from Vilseck, Germany; the 57th Rescue Squadron from Aviano, Italy; and members of Polish special forces.

The exercise emphasized United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa’s commitment to agile combat employment strategies, integrating advanced sensor technology and refining multinational tactical operations designed to enhance movement, maneuverability and security across NATO territories.

Throughout the training in Gdynia, the special warfare teams, comprising of tactical air control party members and pararescuemen, demonstrated the effectiveness of their combined operations. These operations are aimed at ensuring aircrews and Airmen are well prepared to deliver lethal combat power and conduct precise recovery operations in contested environments.

“Our presence here at Astral Knight 24 aimed to refine and test the Special Warfare Teaming strategy,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Phonchai Hansen, 2 ASOS flight chief of Alpha Flight. “By combining our TACP capabilities with the expert medical and recovery skills of the PJs, we’ve created a dynamic force capable of addressing multifaceted threat scenarios effectively.”

The exercise featured simulated, dynamic targeting missions and personnel recovery drills, during which TACPs and PJs executed coordinated responses to simulated threats. One of the scenarios included a pilot emergency ejection from an F-16 Fighting Falcon and required immediate extraction from a hostile environment, testing the cohesion and interoperability of the newly formed teams.

“The integration of TACPs and PJs into a cohesive unit allows us to leverage our respective strengths,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. John Miller, 2 ASOS flight commander of Alpha Flight. “This exercise effectively assessed the current state of Air Force Special Warfare Teaming, allowing us to inform the development of the special warfare enterprise.”

This year’s Astral Knight also focused on testing and improving joint operational tactics, involving not only U.S. forces but also enhancing cooperation with Polish military units and other NATO partners. The seamless collaboration forged stronger alliances and demonstrated NATO’s capability to defend its members against any threat.

The Special Warfare Teaming Concept not only showcased tactical abilities but also strategic foresight in preparing NATO forces for future challenges.

“The gives us the ability to operate with our NATO allies in some pretty complex scenarios,” said a PJ participant. “This greatly improves our collective security and ensures we are always ready to respond to threats swiftly and efficiently.”

The lessons learned and relationships built in Gdynia will help future NATO exercises and operations. Furthering the success of the Special Warfare Teaming Concept — marking a pivotal advancement in military operations, enhanced cooperative capabilities and strategic deployment readiness across NATO.

By Capt Jacob Murray, 86th Airlift Wing

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post, International, SOF | 2 Comments »

72nd ISRS In Line With SPAFORGEN model

Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) —

The 72nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron held a readiness exercise at Peterson Space Force Base, May 8. The exercise focused on practicing mission-essential tasks, training Guardians in a low-threat environment and validating unit readiness for deployments.

“Our Guardians will be able to go through the entire deployment process, from required training to using equipment, as they exercise our mission essential tasks,” said 1st Lt. Wyatt Packard, 72nd ISRS operations flight commander. “This will validate the previous training they undertook in their ‘Prepare Phase’ of [Space Force Generation].”

A framework that the USSF is using to present forces to combatant commands, SPAFORGEN provides force element packaging tailored to meet combatant commander’s requirements.

“SPAFORGEN is the model we use to build readiness. It is based on the straightforward observation that day-to-day space operations do not prepare Guardians for the challenges they will face in a high-intensity combat environment… Under SPAFORGEN, the force elements that comprise combat squadrons and detachments rotate through three phases. During the Prepare Phase, Guardians build expertise in assigned roles. Next comes the Ready Phase where Guardians participate in advanced training to equip them for high-intensity conflict. Guardians then rotate into the Commit Phase as part of a combat squadron or combat detachment. Once complete, they rotate back into the Prepare Phase and begin the process again,” according to Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman in his 26th CSO Notice to Guardians published April 19.

Tech. Sgt. Matthew Hahnrauch, exercise lead and 72nd ISRS operations flight chief, discussed the organizational structure of how the units are designed to operate.

“The goal is to collect radio frequencies, provide electromagnetic support and then conduct reporting,” Hahnrauch said. “The six-person crew is designed with mobility and survivability as a priority. This team structure is designed for 24/7 operations and minimal support from other military forces to accomplish the designed tasks.”

The 72nd ISRS uses Deployed ISR Support Crews, which are modular, agile teams designed for worldwide deployment and operations, Hahnrauch said. They are composed of five components.

“These components are collection apertures, processors, communication suites, data relay and temporary Secure Compartmentalized Information Facilities,” Hahnrauch said. “Each variation of DISC is trained on slightly different equipment and DISCs are scaled up or down depending on the systems they are operating.”

Communication technologies have rapidly advanced in the last 20 years and the need to advance U.S. collection systems has increased.

In cyberspace, the barriers to entry are continually reduced and more actors can enter the domain with relative ease, Hahnrauch said. Military systems are increasingly disconnected and do not rely on communications and when over-the-horizon communications are required, dedicated military satellite communications are leveraged. This presents opportunities for cyberspace, electromagnetic warfare and space operations.

“Failure to field and employ expeditionary, mobile collection systems will place the joint force at a disadvantage in cyberspace operations, electromagnetic warfare and space operations and degrade our ability to produce the intelligence necessary to drive operations across the spectrum of competition and conflict,” Packard said. “We will continue to execute iterations of this training event with the intent of mission rehearsal for contested environment operations. In the future, we’ll be incorporating more austere components into the exercise to provide a dynamic and mobile collection with the ability to rapidly deploy, maneuver and communicate in a high-end fight. Our capabilities continue to grow and expand.”

The 72nd ISRS is a unit within Space Delta 7, with the mission to provide expeditionary ISR in addition to electromagnetic support to joint and allied partners worldwide.

By Keefer Patterson

Space Base Delta 1 Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, ISR, Space | Comments Off on 72nd ISRS In Line With SPAFORGEN model