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Twenty-Fourth Air Force

{{short description|Numbered air force of the United States Air Force responsible for cyber forces}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = Twenty-Fourth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber)

| image = Twenty-Fourth Air Force - Emblem.png

| caption = Shield of the Twenty-Fourth Air Force

| dates = 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))
({{Age in years and months|2010|12|07}}){{cite web|url=http://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432270/twenty-fourth-air-force-acc|title=Twenty-Fourth Air Force (AFSPC)|website=af.mil|access-date=24 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228232452/http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432270/twenty-fourth-air-force-afspc/|archive-date=28 December 2017}}

| country = {{flag|United States of America|23px}}

| allegiance =

| branch = {{Air force|USA|size=23px}}

| type = Numbered Air Force

| role = Provide combat-ready air force cyber forces for U.S. Cyber Command{{cite web|url=http://www.24af.af.mil/Portals/11/documents/About_Us/AFD-140429-035.pdf?ver=2016-04-26-113101-810|title=Air Forces Cyber > Home|website=www.24af.af.mil|access-date=24 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108023844/http://www.24af.af.mil/Portals/11/documents/About_Us/AFD-140429-035.pdf?ver=2016-04-26-113101-810|archive-date=8 November 2016}}

| size =

| command_structure = 23px Air Combat Command
23px U.S. Cyber Command

| garrison = Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, U.S.{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123149460/ |title=Lackland chosen as cyber numbered Air Force headquarters |publisher=Af.mil |access-date=19 May 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717072845/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123149460 |archive-date=17 July 2012 |url-status=live}}

| garrison_label = Headquarters

| ceremonial_chief =

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| decorations = 200px
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

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}}

Twenty-Fourth Air Force / Air Forces Cyber (AFCYBER){{cite web |author=Tech. Sgt. Scott McNabb |url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123233993/ |title=24th AF becomes AFCYBER |publisher=Af.mil |access-date=19 May 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720040128/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123233993 |archive-date=20 July 2012 |url-status=live}} was a Numbered Air Force within the United States Air Force. The Air Force consolidated its cyberspace combat and support forces into 24 AF.{{cite web|url=http://www.afcyber.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10688|title=Frequently Asked Questions|website=af.mil|accessdate=24 April 2018|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229004837/http://www.afcyber.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10688|archivedate=29 December 2008}} 24 AF was the Air Force component of U.S. Cyber Command.

On 11 October 2019, the 24th AF was merged with the 25th AF to form a reactivated 16th Air Force.

Formation

The 24AF was originally intended to be a part of the now-defunct Air Force Cyber Command; however, 24AF became a component of Air Force Space Command on 18 August 2009.

In August 2008, then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123118700/|title=Air Force senior leaders take up key decisions|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719173158/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123118700|archive-date=19 July 2012|url-status=live}}

One key element under 24 AF is the Air Force's primary network warfare wing, the 67th Cyberspace Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The new NAF also gained:

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123163070 |title=Lackland chosen as cyber numbered Air Force headquarters |publisher=Afspc.af.mil |date=8 December 2009 |accessdate=19 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309162152/http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123163070 |archivedate=9 March 2013}} The organization officially stood-up on 18 August 2009.San Antonio Express-News, "New Cyber Command Activated at Lackland AFB", 18 August 2009.{{cite web |author=Gen. C. Robert Kehler |url=http://www.24af.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123163965 |title=Twenty-Fourth Air Force Activation |publisher=24af.af.mil |date=19 August 2009 |accessdate=19 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220072236/http://www.24af.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123163965 |archivedate=20 December 2014}} On 22 January 2010, 24AF was certified by AFSPC/CC for its Initial Operational Capability.[http://www.24af.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123187200 24 AF link "Air Force Cyber Numbered Air Force achieves initial operational capability, 26 Jan 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722180701/http://www.24af.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123187200 |date=22 July 2011 }}" Full Operational Capability was declared on 1 October 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/10/airforce-operational-101810w/ |title=24th AF reaches full capability |publisher=Airforcetimes.com |accessdate=19 May 2011 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120717191601/http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/10/airforce-operational-101810w/ |archivedate=17 July 2012}}

History

In 2014, 24 AF provided the Cyber Mission Force for the Exercise Red Flag for the first time.{{cite web |url=http://defense-update.com/20140315_cyber_ops_at_red_flag.html |title=Cyber Operations Become Part of the Red-Flag Game Plan |last1=Eshel |first1=Tamir |date=15 March 2014 |website=defense-update.com |publisher=Defense Update |accessdate=15 March 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315220241/http://defense-update.com/20140315_cyber_ops_at_red_flag.html |archivedate=15 March 2014}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123414957 |title=Global Lightning electrifies the joint fight |last1=Hein |first1=Meredith |date=18 June 2014 |website=www.afspc.af.mil |publisher=USAF |accessdate=19 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220072054/http://www.afspc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123414957 |archivedate=20 December 2014}}

Twenty-Fourth Air Force was reassigned to Air Combat Command on 17 July 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1577754/24th-air-force-joins-air-combat-command-welcomes-new-commander/ |title=24th Air Force joins Air Combat Command, welcomes new commander|date=18 July 2018 }}

Units

List of commanders

class="wikitable sortable"
rowspan=2|{{abbr|No.|Number}}

!colspan=2|Commander

!colspan=3|Term

Portrait

!Name

!Took office

!Left office

!Term length

{{Officeholder table

| order = 1

| military_rank = Major General

| image = Maj Gen Richard E. Webber (2).jpg

| officeholder = Richard E. Webber{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/105106/major-general-richard-e-webber/|title=MAJOR GENERAL RICHARD E. WEBBER > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display|website=www.af.mil|access-date=24 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064329/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/105106/major-general-richard-e-webber.aspx|archive-date=4 March 2016}}

| officeholder_sort =

| born_year =

| died_year =

| term_start = 11 August 2009

| term_end = 29 April 2011

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|11 August 2009|29 April 2011}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 2

| military_rank = Major General

| image = Suzanne M. Vautrinot.jpg

| officeholder = Suzanne M. Vautrinot{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107964/major-general-suzanne-m-zan-vautrinot/|title=MAJOR GENERAL SUZANNE M. "ZAN" VAUTRINOT > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display|website=www.af.mil|access-date=24 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064424/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/107964/major-general-suzanne-m-zan-vautrinot.aspx|archive-date=4 March 2016}}

| officeholder_sort =

| born_year =

| died_year =

| term_start = 29 April 2011

| term_end = 31 June 2013

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|29 April 2011|30 June 2013}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 3

| military_rank = Major General

| image = Maj Gen James K. McLaughlin.jpg

| officeholder = James K. McLaughlin{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108399/lieutenant-general-james-k-kevin-mclaughlin/|title=LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAMES K. "KEVIN" MCLAUGHLIN > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display|website=www.af.mil|access-date=24 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327185237/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/108399/major-general-james-k-kevin-mclaughlin.aspx|archive-date=27 March 2017}}

| officeholder_sort =

| born_year =

| died_year =

| term_start = 31 June 2013

| term_end = 31 July 2014

| timeinoffice = 1 year

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 4

| military_rank = Major General

| image = Burke E. Wilson (3).jpg

| officeholder = B. Edwin Wilson

{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108786/christopher-p-weggeman/|title=MAJOR GENERAL CHRISTOPHER P. WEGGEMAN > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display |access-date=2016-11-03|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104075345/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/108786/brigadier-general-christopher-p-weggeman.aspx |archive-date=4 November 2016}}

| officeholder_sort =

| born_year =

| died_year =

| term_start = 31 July 2014

| term_end = 17 June 2016

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|31 July 2014|17 June 2016}}

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 5

| military_rank = Major General

| image = Christopher P. Weggeman (2).jpg

| officeholder = Christopher P. Weggeman

| officeholder_sort =

| born_year =

| died_year =

| term_start = 17 June 2016

| term_end = 17 July 2018

| timeinoffice = 2 years

}}

{{Officeholder table

| order = 6

| military_rank = Major General

| image = Maj Gen Robert J. Skinner.jpg

| officeholder = Robert J. Skinner

| officeholder_sort =

| born_year =

| died_year =

| term_start = 17 July 2018

| term_end = 11 October 2019

| timeinoffice = {{ayd|17 July 2018|11 October 2019}}

}}

See also

References

{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}

  • {{citation|author=Lord, William T., Major General, USAF|title=USAF Cyberspace Command To Fly and Fight in Cyberspace, Strategic Studies Quarterly|date=Fall 2008|page=15|publisher=United States Air Force}}

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.afreserve.com/whatwedo_popup.html Air Force Reserve Command] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921144103/http://www.afreserve.com/whatwedo_popup.html |date=21 September 2020 }}
  • [http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/02/airforce_cyber_command_022509/ Twenty-Fourth Air Force revised structure]
  • [https://www.16af.af.mil/ 24th Air Force Website]
  • [https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107964/major-general-suzanne-m-zan-vautrinot/ Maj Gen Suzanne M. Vautrinot]

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Category:United States Cyber Command

Category:Military units and formations established in 2009

Category:2009 establishments in the United States

Category:Military units and formations in Texas