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AFSPC/CC visits AF Network Integration Center

  • Published
  • By Karen Petitt
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  In an effort to help communicate and collaborate on the way ahead for cyberspace missions within the Air Force, Gen. C. Robert Kehler and his senior staff met with the leadership and professionals here at the Air Force Network Integration Center Oct. 20-21.

AFNIC is responsible for shaping and provisioning the Air Force's network architecture and are implementing recent changes in the organization's structure under the direction of AF Space Command.

Currently Space Command leads the organizational, training and equipping requirements needed to fulfill both traditional space missions as well as grow a more robust cyber mission capability. As a direct reporting center, AFNIC is responsible for assuring those missions through reliable, available, and trusted networks across all boundaries, whether air, ground, or space. They are the focal point to bring together the current disparate networks into one true AF enterprise network, through lead command management, requirements, resourcing, assessments and validation, architectures, analysis and network engineering. They architect, test and sustain common network and communications systems.

The cyber mission-related construct is one that is complex and has many elements, which is why General Kehler said that his priority is to tie together these elements and gather them into appropriate lanes of consolidation as appropriate. He is also looking at warfighter needs that come from multiple sources and how best to fulfill those requirements.

"The progress we have made so far is commendable, and we're formulating what we will look like six months from now, as well as five and 10 years down the road," said the General. "There are still questions to be answered, but we are making progress."

In discussing cyberspace-related missions, senior staff members shared inputs about shaping the future force, making sure both military and government civilians are postured with the right training and skill sets, as well as looking outside the current norm as needed.

Because fighting the threats to the network remain a concern, the general wants everyone who operates on the network to be "cyber wingmen." He also said, "We must find ways to assure the mission. I think we can keep the vandals out while we find meaningful ways to fix the issue without just disconnecting everyone. When we shut people down, we may not have the best information at hand on who it will affect and what mission critical work might be impacted until it's too late. Blanket exclusions is not the answer, so we have a real job ahead of us on fixing that."

The Air Force is working toward the "One Air Force-One Network" approach for network operations and management. In order to do that, he tasked AFNIC to develop the standardized architectures and the migration plan that will align all the major commands under one common enterprise network structure.

In addition, there are challenges with acquisition that still loom as leaders work ways to acquire the latest technologies in a timely manner. The general acknowledges there are no quick fixes, but the Command is identifying solutions and working toward them.
During the discussions, the general emphasized AFNIC 's responsibilities are essential to make sure the Air Force has access to cyberspace.

"Everything we do in the Air Force, and even in the Joint environment, has a cyber aspect. We need the AFNIC to ensure we have the right access to the cyber domain, and we need the AFNIC to continue to shape and maintain those capabilities," he said.
The leaders also discussed communicating with commanders the value of the new cyber construct, and why certain actions will enhance the missions they perform.
The task now for AFNIC is to digest the guidance and continue to formulate their strategic plan and policies.

Col. John Odey, AFNIC commander, said "This was a great opportunity to work through some of our key priorities and develop solid partnerships as we shape the way ahead. We were able to have a direct conversation about our plans and develop a shared understanding of our major functions, challenges and opportunities."