90th IOS member wins AFSPC award

24th Air Force Public Affairs

3/21/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Capt. Juan Morales, 90th Information Operations Squadron chief of cyber exercises, won the 2014 League of United Latin American Citizens Excellence in Service award at the Air Force Space Command level.

Morales currently serves as the assistant operations officer for the Air Force Mission, United States Military Group at the U.S. embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, which aims to build partner capacity between the two nations.

In this role, Morales directed multiple mobile training teams that supported seven Colombian Air Force bases. This resource greatly enhanced the Columbian Air Force's counter-drug and counter-terrorism capabilities. In addition, he worked to improve success of Columbia's remotely piloted aircraft program by aiding in the opening of the first Columbian RPA School for more than 90 pilots, increasing overall hours flown and improving mission success rate.

Morales was able to create an atmosphere or cooperation between more than 50 Colombian and U.S. personnel and the two countries in general, according to his award narrative. The document states "Capt. Morales is a phenomenal leader and human being. He honed every aspect of the Air Force Mission in Colombia and is pivotal for the U.S.-Colombia Cooperation program."

Morales credits his knowledge of the Spanish language and culture for enabling him to build rapport with the Colombian military.

"I was better able to understand their needs and help in any way we could," Morales said.

In the 90th IOS, Morales serves as the Cyber Modeling and Simulation deputy flight commander. In this role, he fields and integrates advanced cyber technology into Air Force cyber units while managing a staff of more than 40 individuals to integrate full-spectrum cyber capabilities for Air Force, joint and national networks. In addition, he manages a $3 million Air Force Cyber Simulation Center, which enables experimentation, development, fielding and exercising of thousands of cyber capabilities.

Morales earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, which, he says, is his greatest accomplishment in the Air Force.

In his free time, Morales enjoys playing sports, especially volleyball and basketball, and coaching a youth soccer team at JBSA-Lackland.

"I want to thank my leadership at the 90th IOS, 318th Cyberspace Operations Group, 688th Cyberspace Wing, 24th Air Force and Air Force Space Command for their support and for recognizing my work. It feels great to be recognized and makes my family and friends proud," said Morales. "I would also like to thank my peers for their great service. Thank you!"