by Staff Sgt. Jacob Morgan
21st Space Wing Public Affairs
4/30/2014 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Gen.
William Shelton, Air Force Space Command commander, officially opened
the new 561st Network Operations Squadron's renovated operations center
April 28 here. As part of the larger Air Force Information Network, the
561st NOS is one of three squadrons of its type in the Air Force, all
belonging to AFSPC's 24th Air Force.
The ribbon cutting ceremony included a full showing of the $4.5 million
upgraded operations center, or "bullpen." The bullpen, largely designed
after a wall-street trading floor, is aimed at improving command and
control of Air Force network communications. The addition of a 70-foot
data wall enables the squadron to have direct visual contact to other
squadrons with similar missions. Overall, the renovations improve the
561st NOS mission effectiveness by providing enhanced situational
awareness and command and control capabilities.
In 2007, when the 561st NOS began operations, they had less than 10
military members conducting cyberspace operations. Today, the squadron
has more than 560 Airmen including active-duty, Reserve, civilian and
contractors who work 24-hour operations every day of the year to
implement tactical countermeasures to defend the Air Force Network.
"A professional organization needs a professional environment to work
in," said Lt. Col. Roy Rockwell, 561st NOS commander. "We now have the
tools required to execute General Shelton's vision. This ceremony is a
small example of how far cyberspace operations have come. We have made
large steps in a short amount of time."
The concept of the bullpen in the 561st NOS operations center
streamlines decision making, removes communication barriers, and
increases cyber crew commander and cyber operations controller influence
of situations, added Rockwell.
The use of cyberspace to conduct missions is not exclusive to the Air
Force; however, it has become an essential component of innovation in
the Air Force's warfighting advantage. The 561st NOS uses cyberspace
capabilities in joint operations to defend its portion of the DOD
network, which enhances the overall ability of the U.S. government to
protect national security.
The ceremony concluded with a demonstration of the linkages between the
561st NOS and the 83rd Network Operations Squadron at Langley Air Force
Base, Va. With the new data wall, cyberspace controllers can quickly
diagnose problems and work with their sister squadron half a country
away to solve problems before the users of the Air Force network realize
there are issues.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
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