39th IOS breaks ground to prepare for cyber-demand future

Published Sept. 1, 2009
By 2nd Lt. Mark Lazane
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The 24th Air Force, now just a few weeks old, took another large step toward increased electronic warfare capabilities with the groundbreaking of the 39th Information Operations Squadron building's expansion here September 1.

The 39th IOS, a detached squadron of the 688th Information Operations Wing headquartered at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, was recently integrated into the newly established 24th Air Force, a numbered Air Force affiliated with Air Force Space Command.

Approximately 50 people attended the lunchtime ceremony, including Col. Robert Skinner, 688th IOW commander.

"This is a proud day for the 39th IOS," Colonel Skinner said. "The 39th IOS is the gateway to cyber warfare. This is the place where we train our cyber warriors."

The 39th IOS is the Air Force's only Cyber and Information Operations formal training unit. The 73 personnel in the schoolhouse have provided advanced information operation and cyberspace training to more than 1,300 personnel since 1998.

"This is an important day," said Col. Michael Convertino, 318th Information Operations Group commander, who oversees the 39th IOS. "It isn't the building that's special; it's the work that goes on within the building that's important. It's truly an exciting time to be involved with information operations and cyber warfare. The level of satisfaction and the support to make things happen starts right here in this building. This is just the beginning of what can happen in cyber warfare."

The expansion will add 4,500 square feet to the existing 17,000 square foot structure. The expanded facility will house four additional classrooms and an observation room as well as a simulation room where students will be able to practice the skills they have been taught in real time.

The new facility will be a blessing for a squadron rapidly running out of space but being asked to train increasing amounts of people, said the 39th IOS Commander, Lt. Col. Dean Clothier.

"The new building will allow us to meet the needs of the Air Force, not just work until our capacity to do more is used up," Colonel Clothier said. "With the building addition, we are maximizing what we have as well as building for the future. We need to develop cyber warfare into an operational art form."

Colonel Skinner compared the buildup of cyber warfare training to a fitness recovery plan.

"Here in the 39th IOS, progress comes slowly, first by walking, then jogging, then sprinting. We're walking in this process," he said. The expansion taking place here is a step in the right direction. It's my pleasure to be a part of this ceremony."

Colonel Skinner then referenced a sign familiar to many Air Force individuals at Lackland Air Force Base.

"At Lackland, there is a sign near the gate that reads, 'Gateway to the Air Force.' I believe the motto for the 39th IOS, 'Foundation for the future' is just as true, and it is extremely appropriate today, in a groundbreaking ceremony that prepares us for the future."