Formation
The Twenty-Fourth Air Force (24 AF) was originally intended to be a part of the now-defunct Air Force Cyber Command (AFCYBER); however, 24 AF became a component of the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) on 18 August 2009.
In August 2008, then-new Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz placed a stop order suspending implementation of Air Force Cyber Command (AFCYBER), halting personnel assignments and activation of units. On 6 October 2008, following its annual Corona conference, the Air Force announced that the activation of AFCYBER would not take place, and that a Numbered Air Force, the Twenty-Fourth (24 AF), would gain the cyber warfare mission as part of Air Force Space Command (AFSPC).
One key element under 24 AF is the Air Force's primary network warfare wing, the 67th Network Warfare Wing (67 NWW), headquartered at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The new NAF also gained the following units:
- The 688th Information Operations Wing (688 IOW) – Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
- The 689th Combat Communications Wing (689 CCW) – Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
- The 624th Operations Center (624 OC) (taking over duty and personnel of the 608th Air Force Network Operations Center (AFNOC)) – Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
- Although administratively aligned directly under Air Force Space Command, the Air Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC), formerly the Air Force Communications Agency, works closely with 24 AF on its mission to build and sustain Air Force networks.
Over 14,000 airmen make up the work force of 24 AF. Many of these are in place at other organizations, and Air Force units host cyber specialists from other organizations. Before the command was officially activated, the Air Force had announced six possible locations for the headquarters of 24 AF. The candidate locations were: 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 that Lackland is the preferred alternative, and the decision was confirmed on 12 August 2009. The organization officially stood-up on 18 August 2009. On 22 January 2010, 24 AF was certified by AFSPC/CC for its Initial Operational Capability (IOC). Full Operational Capability (FOC) was declared on 1 October 2010.
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