AF cyber training unit crosses into joint, coalition training
by Capt. Carrie L. Kessler
39th Information Operations Squadron
8/11/2010 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- Officials with the 39th Information Operations Squadron, the Air Force's sole formal training unit for cyber and information operations training, expanded their sphere of education recently by graduating the first joint and coalition partners during ceremonies here.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Richard Mitchell, from the U.S. Army School of Information Technology at Fort Gordon, Ga., graduated from Undergraduate Network Warfare Training June 22, and Flight Lieutenant Katherine Wright and Flying Officer Andrew McCarron, from the Royal Australian Air Force's 462nd Squadron, graduated from the Information Operations Integration Course July 30.
"We reached significant milestones at the 39th IOS during the past two months by incorporating our joint and coalition partners into all aspects of our training," said Lt. Col. Brian Denman, the 39th IOS commander. "We can truly say we train like we fight."
Mr. Mitchell, a technical director with 20 years of Army service, was selected to attend UNWT after visiting the 39th IOS to learn more about the facilities and curriculum to aid in the establishment of the Army's own network warfare training.
"We're interested in a long-term relationship between the schools so we can continue to share information and ideas, continue to build on what we each have," said Mr. Mitchell, the UNWT 10-05 Academic Excellence Award recipient.
Army officials plan to migrate warrant officers with a solid foundation in systems management and network security into a cyber defensive role. Training is expected to begin at Fort Gordon in January 2011.
During the 55-academic day course, students receive initial qualification training as network warfare operations specialists trained in policy, doctrine, guidance, and concepts and operational functions. Students apply NW ops concepts across seven functional network classes in hands-on training missions and mission evaluations. Upon graduation, students are awarded the newest Air Force occupational badge symbolizing the service's changing operational environment, the cyberspace badge.
According to squadron leaders, Mr. Mitchell is the first non-Air Force member to receive the badge.
"I don't think I could have had a better class to be a part of," Mr. Mitchell said. "(Being a mix of AF and Army) it could have been a totally different experience, but I'm leaving with 15 friends I will stay in touch with. It's a great building across the services."
As Mr. Mitchell graduated from UNWT, the 39th IOS staff welcomed the first coalition partners into IOIC.
"The most important aspect of the course was developing the relationships between the U.S. Air Force and the RAAF, and to ensure we can continue to work together," said FLTLT Wright, IOIC 10-04 distinguished graduate. "Australia is currently preparing to add an IO team to the Air Operations Center and this course will aid in ensuring that we have the required knowledge to run the IO cell."
During the 23-academic day course, students learn the basics of IO, Air Force and joint doctrine, concepts of operations, executing organizations and operational functions of the U.S. Air Force. They also receive an initial familiarization of operations within an Air and Space Operations Center, focused on effects-based operations and the importance of IO integration within operations planning.
"This graduation is the culmination of several years of hard work and blazes the trail for continued integration of our coalition partners into our courses." Colonel Denman said. "Through collaboration with the government of Australia, Department of Defense and Department of State, along with our legal and security advisors, we were able to take this significant step in training for current and future operations together."
The 462nd SQN, which forms part of the RAAF's Information Warfare Wing, exists to "protect the Air Force's capability through the conduct of information operations."
"The important mission of 462 SQN made our Australian counterparts optimal students to attend IOIC, and both units were ready to execute once we received approval for coalition attendance," Colonel Denman said.
"This course teaches a better understanding of U.S. Air Force systems, processes and capabilities, ensuring coalition operations are smoother and quicker to implement," said FLGOFF McCarron, the 462nd SQN intelligence officer. "I appreciate the efforts needed to integrate coalition partners and look forward to working together again in the future."
According to 39th IOS officials, additional coalition partners are already slated to attend future courses.
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