Reserve activates cyberspace operations group

by Bo Joyner
Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs

3/4/2013 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) -- Air Force Reserve Command activated the first cyberspace operations group in the Air Force March 1.

Colonel Lloyd Terry Jr., the 960th Cyberspace Operations Group commander, is charged with providing combat-ready forces with specialized expertise in the operation and defense of Air Force and Defense Department global information grids.

"The 960th is the one belly button for cyber in AFRC," Terry said. "Just like the 310th Space Wing is the one-stop shop for all things space in AFRC, we are the one-stop shop for cyber."

The 960th CYOG has administrative control of 10 Reserve cyber organizations throughout the country.

There are four combat communications squadrons -- the 23rd CBCS, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., 35th CBCS, Tinker AFB, Okla., 42nd CBCS, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and 55th CBCS, Robins AFB, Ga. - that provide theater-deployable communications during wartime and contingency operations or humanitarian missions in austere locations.

The command's two classic associate network operations squadrons - the 860th NOS, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., and 960th NOS, Peterson AFB, Colo., - work with their active-duty counterparts to operate sustain and defend assigned Air Force networks.

Two classic associate network warfare flights - the 860th NWF, JBSA-Lackland, San Antonio, and 960th NWF at Offutt AFB, Neb., - monitor Air Force communications-computer systems to determine if any information is being revealed that may be of intelligence value to an adversary.

Finally, there are two 960th CYOG detachments that operate as classic associate units with the 624th Operations Center and the 33rd Network Warfare Squadron at JBSA-Lackland that are on track to become squadrons later this year.

Det. 1, associated with the 624th OC, establishes, plans, directs, coordinates, assesses and provides full-spectrum cyber command & control operations and capabilities in support of Air Force and Joint requirements. Det. 2, associated with the 33rd NWS, produces effects for the Air Force and combatant commands in, through and from cyberspace by employing synchronized network defense operations to detect, respond to and prevent network intrusions.

There are currently about 800 people working in cyber throughout AFRC, and that number is sure to grow.

"We are definitely hiring, both TRs (traditional reservists) and ARTs (air reserve technicians)," Terry said. "That's one of our primary challenges right now - to fill all of the openings we have. And, we're not just looking to bring in prior-service people. We know there are kids in high school today who have a lot of the basic skills we are looking for."

A lot of the Reserve cyber positions that are currently open are based at Lackland, but Terry said opportunities exist at locations throughout the country.

"Besides, you don't have to live near Lackland to serve at Lackland," Terry said. "You just have to be willing to commute.

"The cyber mission is constantly changing and evolving," he said. "That's one reason I think it is such a great career field to be involved with and a great mission for the Air Force Reserve."

Terry encouraged reservists or active-duty Airmen who might be interested in a cyber career to check out www.usajobs.gov for a listing of current ART positions available, along with Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service and the Reserve Management Volunteer System for traditional reserve opportunities. Young men and women who would like to pursue a Reserve cyber position should contact their local Air Force Reserve recruiter.