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39th IOS cyber professionals welcome new commander

  • Published
  • By Capt. Carrie L. Kessler and Capt. Laura A. Sepeda
  • 39th Information Operations Squadron
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Lt. Col. Brian Denman took command of the 39th Information Operations Squadron, the hub of Air Force IO and cyber training, during a time-honored change of command ceremony here July 20.

The new commander marked the occasion by emphasizing the important role of the squadron in developing professionals in the cyber arena.

As the Air Force went through this transformation of "being 'all in' as a cyber force," we looked at the training and new career force models proposed to the Air Staff and nearly every one of them traced their roots back to the 39 IOS, said Colonel Denman. "That says a lot."

"We will continue to be on to this path of success because of your efforts and we'll be judged by the quality of our graduates," he added.

Colonel Denman is a career communications officer whose most recent assignment was executive officer to the Air Force's Chief of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer. He has a diverse background within unit, staff and joint-level assignments in space and missile warning systems development, tactical communications and C2ISR operations, and as a C4 planner for operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

"I couldn't think of a better candidate to make sure those (cyber and IO) visions and goals we set out so long ago get accomplished," said Col. Michael Convertino, 318th Information Operations Group commander.

Colonel Convertino also credited Lt. Col. Dean Clothier, outgoing commander, with having a great deal of influence in the communication career field's transition to cyber.

"Colonel Clothier's influence was pivotal in convincing the 'comm' community to be 'all in' - to bring all its personnel into cyber and to reorient them toward the cyber and IO missions," said Colonel Convertino. "It's the single-most massive conversion of 'tail to tooth' I've seen since being in the Air Force."

During his time at the helm, Colonel Clothier oversaw numerous successes to include the stand-up of the Air Force's Cyber Transition Course, integration as the first formal training unit in the Department of Defense to utilize the IO range, Community College of the Air Force full accreditation, and the 4,500 sq. ft. addition through emergency military construction funds to supplement the expanding mission of the 39 IOS. He also graduated nearly 2,100 IO and cyber professionals through the various courses conducted by the formal training unit.

Aside from overseeing in-residence courses at the formal training unit, Colonel Clothier was also responsible for expanding the mission set to provide advanced training using mobile training teams.

"One of the most satisfying pieces was to see what lieutenants and staff sergeants can do," said Colonel Clothier. "You train them, give them a charter and send them out. You tell them to trust in their training, survey it, come back and tell me what we need to do, help us build it, then go back out to the unit and field it. We've done that five times in the last nine months."

The colonel noted that the growth of the 39 IOS mission to meet the Air Force's training requirements has been challenging, but "wow, were we able to meet a need."

"It has been an honor to lead the 39 IOS and it's something I will cherish for the rest of my life," said Colonel Clothier.