CMSAF visits Fort Meade cyber, intel Airmen

from the U.S. Cyber Command Public Affairs Office

11/19/2013 - FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md.  -- The Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody spent several hours visiting with Airmen involved in a variety of critical missions here Nov. 12.

Cody visited cyber and intelligence units that fall under Air Forces Cyber and the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency to spend time with Airmen, better understand their missions, and find out what the Air Force can do to better support them.

"This was an opportunity to come out and thank the Airmen for the work they're doing," said Cody. "It's really important they know how connected they are, and that nobody's forgotten, especially those Airmen doing interagency work. There's nothing better than letting the Airmen tell their stories."

And tell their stories they did. Airmen from the 315th Network Warfare Squadron and 7th Intelligence Squadron briefed Cody on their roles in the cyber domain and went through the basics of a mission. Cody was impressed by the professional, skilled, well-trained Airmen, and coined several cyber troops throughout the trip who had been recognized by their leadership for outstanding service.

"This takes a lot of focus and dedication. Information gives us a distinct advantage over our adversaries," Cody said while speaking to a group of Airmen. "I like the idea that the enemy doesn't know what we could do or might do - I think it's pretty impressive."

Cody also noted cyber's critical effect on other Air Force careers and systems, and promoted education programs for the Air Force's cyber operators.

"Education has value and gives our Airmen credibility," he said during one of the briefings he received. "We need to move forward, and if we don't have a clear advantage, our future systems that rely on cyber won't be effective or defended."

Cody also encouraged Airmen to stay in the critical career fields of cyber and intelligence while the Air Force plans for budget changes for the force.

"We're still going to invest in you. We can ill-afford to cut into the important investment we've already made," he said. "We have to balance these capabilities with our other critical capabilities, but this domain is the way forward. It's a great place to be when you think about the growth we're looking at in the Air Force."