Numbered air force of the United States Air Force responsible for cyber forces
Twenty-Fourth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber)
Shield of the Twenty-Fourth Air Force
Active
7 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)) (13 years, 10 months)[1]
In August 2008, then-Air Force Chief of StaffGen.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]
Although now administratively aligned under Air Combat Command, the Air Force Network Integration Center(formerly Air Force Communications Agency), works closely with 24AF on its mission to build and sustain Air Force networks.
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]
Lord, William T., Major General, USAF (Fall 2008), USAF Cyberspace Command To Fly and Fight in Cyberspace, Strategic Studies Quarterly, United States Air Force, p. 15{{citation}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)