Flying and Fighting in Cyberspace
| Author | : Sebastian M. Convertino II, Sebastian MConvertino Ii Lieutenant , USAF |
| Publisher | : |
| Total Pages | : 90 |
| Release | : 2011-11-01 |
| Genre | : |
| ISBN | : 9781467934459 |
On 5 December 2005, the Air Force expanded its mission to include a new domain of war fighting: "to fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace." When the Air Force claimed cyberspace as part of its mission, it not only acknowledged the changing terrain of conflict and a shift in tactics of would-be adversaries but also surprised many in uniform who wondered what the move implied. By changing its mission statement, the Air Force sparked considerable debate on the extent to which cyberspace would dominate roles, missions, and the budget. To organize for this task, the Air Force established a new operational command for cyberspace on 6 September 2006, designating Eighth Air Force as the new Cyber Command. The Air Force has determined that cyberspace is fundamental to every aspect of war fighting at all levels of operations, and it is seriously engaged in developing cyber capabilities. However, the study's authors argue that the Air Force needs to clearly articulate what Airmen do in cyberspace and how they do it as war fighters. Furthermore, the long lead time to formalize and standardize cyberspace operating concepts and definitions recognizes the complexity and a of cyberspace as a military operational domain. It also has resulted in a lack of conceptual and doctrinal clarity and consensus on the ends, ways, and means of operating in cyberspace, as well as an unfocused foundation upon which to plan strategy, build and organize forces, and find resources. The study contends that before the Air Force can lead in cyberspace, it must first understand cyber conditions, threats, and vulnerabilities, and clearly define how and where it can contribute to national cyberspace strategy. Furthermore, the Air Force must work toward consensus within the defense community on standardizing cyberspace definitions, doctrine, and operating concepts. Until these issues are fully addressed, the authors contend that the ability of the Air Force to develop, deliver, and employ sovereign and advantageous cyber operations will remain encumbered. In support of Eighth Air Force requirements and the new Cyber Command, the study concludes with critical recomiv mendations to enable the Air Force to effectively "fly and fight" in cyberspace: 1. The Air Force needs a clearly articulated cyberspace operating concept, hardware and software tools, and a dedicated, trained Cyber Warfare Corps. 2. The Air Force should clearly define and distinguish the military operations and effects it expects to achieve with the signals, data, information, knowledge, and intelligence flowing through and resident in cyberspace. 3. The Air Force should understand the current US cyber situation, including cyber conditions, threats, and vulnerabilities. 4. The Air Force should select and systematically apply a methodology sensitive to the technology and transformation forces flowing from the information revolution in order to successfully plan strategy, build and organize forces, and resource its actions in cyberspace. 5. The Air Force should institutionalize "cyber-mindedness" and organize innovatively to successfully build capability and capacity for operating in cyberspace. This study argues that these actions, taken together, will go a long way toward enabling war fighters to plan and execute cyber tasks, apply cyber capabilities, and integrate operations in cyberspace with military capabilities executed in the traditional war-fighting domains. As with all other Maxwell Papers, this study is provided in the spirit of academic freedom and is open to debate and serious discussion of issues. We encourage your response.
