2018: AFCYBER in review

Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, presents the 24th Air Force guidon to Maj. Gen. Robert Skinner upon assuming command of the 24th AF during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, July 17, 2018. Twenty Fourth Air Force was reassigned to a new major command and welcomed Skinner during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrew C. Patterson)

Col. Eric Delange, 688th Cyberspace Wing Commander (left), and Chief Master Sgt. Emilio Avila, 688th CW command chief (right), congratulate Master Sgt. Anthony Bustamante, 92nd Cyberspace Operations Squadron flight chief, on being selected as one of the first Airmen to undergo direct appointment into the Air Force cyberspace officer corps. Direct appointment for cyberspace officers was authorized under the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. The candidates’ experience will be used to develop policies and procedures for future applicants. (Courtesy photo)

Lt. Col. Christopher Robinson, 91st Cyberspace Operations Squadron commander, hands second lieutenant ranks to Master Sgt. Micheal Locke, 91st COS operations superintendent, to celebrate his selection as a candidate for the newly authorized cyber direct appointment program. Upon successful completion of the program, Locke will commission as a second lieutenant. (Courtesy photo)

Maj. Gen. Chris Weggeman, Air Forces Cyber commander, provides closing remarks during a cybersecurity conference Feb. 8, 2018, at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Several cybersecurity industry experts, policy makers and stakeholders also spoke during the event, which was hosted by Atlantic Council, Victor Pinchuk Foundation and Texas A&M University-San Antonio. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Airpower Leadership Academy students and facilitators discuss leader traits during one of the program’s 10 weekly mentorship sessions, Feb. 15, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. ALA provided 11 staff and technical sergeants the opportunity to learn from nine senior noncommissioned officers in order to develop their personal leadership philosophy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Staff Sgt. Amanda Harris, 346th Test Squadron commander’s support staff NCO in charge, shares her personal leadership philosophy during an Airpower Leadership Academy session, Feb. 15, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. ALA provided 11 staff and technical sergeants the opportunity to learn from nine senior noncommissioned officers in order to develop their personal leadership philosophy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

67th Cyberspace Wing leaders cut the ribbon to mark the opening of a new offensive cyberspace operations training location in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 23, 2018. Cyberspace operators will receive centralized and standardized training at the new location, which aims to host its first class in March 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Col. Bradley Pyburn, 67th Cyberspace Wing commander, shares his thoughts about the new offensive cyberspace operations training location during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 23, 2018. The first class is scheduled for March 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Cyberspace professionals from the 67th Cyberspace Wing compete in the annual weapons competition, March 7, 2018, in San Antonio, Texas. First, second and third place winners were named in individual, mixed team and unit categories. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Cyberspace professionals from the 67th Cyberspace Wing compete in the annual weapons competition, March 7, 2018, in San Antonio, Texas. First, second and third place winners were named in individual, mixed team and unit categories. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Staff Sgt. Amanda Morgan, Cybersecurity Foundry Course student, receives assistance from Airman 1st Class Shelby McKinlay, a CFC instructor, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., March 9, 2018. Course instructors taught 100 cyberspace students various cybersecurity functions, processes, procedures and data analysis skills to further their ability to secure the Air Force Network. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mariette Adams)

Chief Master Sergeant James Farmer, 690th Cyberspace Operations Group superintendent, answers questions during the Cybersecurity Foundry Course at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., March 14, 2018. Course instructors taught 100 cyberspace students various cybersecurity functions, processes, procedures and data analysis skills to further their ability to secure the Air Force Network. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Scott Warner)

South San Antonio High School students take pictures of Balto, an 802nd Security Forces Squadron military working dog, during a Troops for Teens event at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, March 9, 2018. Troops for Teens, a joint SSAHS and Air Forces Cyber volunteer program, links Airmen mentors with teens. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jamie Adimora)

South San Antonio High School students and Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Airmen pose for a photo during a Troops for Teens event at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, March 9, 2018. Troops for Teens, a joint SSAHS and Air Forces Cyber volunteer program, links Airmen mentors with teens. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jamie Adimora)

The 91st Cyberspace Operations Squadron “Demon Chasers” team builds a sandbag wall during the 67th Cyberspace Wing annual safety day “Gunslinger” warrior challenge at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, April 6, 2018. The challenge pitted several teams against one another in seven timed events, where the 68th Network Warfare Squadron “Purple Dragons” captured first place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Air Forces Cyber Airmen participate in the Texas Cavaliers River Parade during 2018 Fiesta San Antonio, April 23. Fiesta San Antonio is held annually to honor those who lost their lives at the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

A Texas Cavaliers River Parade attendee takes a selfie with Air Forces Cyber Airmen during the 2018 Fiesta San Antonio event, April 23. Fiesta San Antonio is held annually to honor those who lost their lives at the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Larry Rogers, father of the late Staff Sgt. Cierra Rogers, talks about Cierra during the Joint Base San Antonio Airman Leadership School naming ceremony in her honor at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, May 11, 2018. Cierra, a school alumnus, died May 20, 2016 from injuries sustained after saving a family from a burning building April 29, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Attendees honor the U.S. flag as the national anthem is sung at the Joint Base San Antonio Airman Leadership School naming ceremony at JBSA-Lackland, Texas, May 11, 2018. The school was named in honor of Staff Sgt. Cierra Rogers, an alumnus, who died May 20, 2016, from injuries sustained after saving a family from a burning building April 29, 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Air Forces Cyber announced today all Air Force Cyber Mission Force teams achieved full operational capability May 11. The Air Force began building its contribution to the CMF in 2013, along with the Army’s 41 teams, Navy’s 40 teams and Marine Corps’ 13 teams. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Capt. Justin Ball, 390th Cyberspace Operations Squadron Weapons and Tactics chief, explains the purpose of the 90th Cyber Operations Squadron “Bricks-in-the-Loop” model to Gen. Mike Holmes, commander Air Combat Command, and civic leaders during a tour at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, May 31, 2018. The model is used as a cyber training tool to teach cyber Airmen information technology and operational technology network defense. The tour was hosted to introduce attendees to 24th Air Force's cyberspace mission and 25th AF's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Col. Jeremy Boenisch, 5th Combat Communications Group commander, explains the 5th CCG’s mission for civic leaders during a tour at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, May 31, 2018. The civic leaders visited the base with Gen. Mike Holmes, commander Air Combat Command, to introduce them to 24th Air Force’s cyberspace mission and 25th AF’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Brig. Gen. Mitchel Butikofer’s, Air Forces Cyber vice commander, family share laughs during Butikofer’s retirement ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 1, 2018. Butikofer retired after 29 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Brig. Gen. Mitchel Butikofer, Air Forces Cyber vice commander, stands at the position of attention as the U.S. flag is folded during his retirement ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 1, 2018. Butikofer retired after 29 years of service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Maj. Gen. Chris Weggeman, Air Forces Cyber commander, presents the 67th Cyberspace Wing guidon to Col. Melissa Cunningham, 67th CW commander, during the wing’s change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 20, 2018. Col. Bradley Pyburn relinquished command of the wing to Cunningham. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Maj. Gen. Chris Weggeman, Air Forces Cyber commander, congratulates Col. Melissa Cunningham, new 67th Cyberspace Wing commander, during the wing’s change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 20, 2018. Col. Bradley Pyburn relinquished command of the wing to Cunningham. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Col. Brian Denman, 567th Cyberspace Operations Group commander, briefs Cyber Protection Team Conference 18-1 attendees at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 26, 2018. The three day, 567th COG-hosted conference gathered Total Force and joint cyber professionals to share best practices to improve operational CPT effectiveness. U.S. Cyber Command CPTs defend national and DOD networks and systems against threats, as part of the combatant command’s Cyber Mission Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Tech. Sgt. Bruce Murray, 624th Operations Center defensive cyber operator, shares a joke with Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson during her visit to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 28, 2018. During her trip, Wilson met Air Forces Cyber Airmen and learned about their contributions to the cyber mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Capt. Benjamin Wiemers, 624th Operations Center plans chief, explains the 624th OC mission to Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson during her visit to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, June 28, 2018. During her visit, Wilson met Air Forces Cyber Airmen and learned about their contributions to the cyber mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Col. Michelle Hayworth, Air Forces Cyber vice commander, thanks those in attendance during her promotion ceremony to brigadier general at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, July, 16, 2018. In June, Hayworth re-joined AFCYBER from Air Force Space Command. She previously served in AFCYBER, most recently as the 688th Cyberspace Wing Commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Melissa Swarbrick and Robert Smith place brigadier general rank insignia on their sister, Col. Michelle Hayworth, Air Forces Cyber vice commander, during her promotion ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, July, 16, 2018. In June, Hayworth re-joined AFCYBER from Air Force Space Command. She previously served in AFCYBER, most recently as the 688th Cyberspace Wing Commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, addresses attendees during a command transfer and change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, July 17, 2018. The command transfer realigned the 24th Air Force cyber operations under ACC alongside 25th AF intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions; all to “drive faster decisions as we fight,” said Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, in a June 7 statement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrew C. Patterson)

Maj. Gen. Robert Skinner, 24th Air Force commander, addresses attendees after accepting command during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, July 17, 2018. Skinner hails from Air Force Space Command, where he was the deputy commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrew C. Patterson)

Air Forces Cyber is a triple-hatted organization including 24th Air Force, AFCYBER and Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber. Each fulfills a distinctly different purpose supporting an overall mission focus of delivering full-spectrum cyberspace operations in support of the Air Force, joint force and nation. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Robert Cole, Air Forces Cyber executive director, speaks to attendees at the CyberTexas Conference in San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 14, 2018. The conference was hosted to develop the next generations of cyber professionals. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Maj. Gen. Robert Skinner, Air Forces Cyber commander, speaks to Airmen during his commander's call at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Aug. 17, 2018. The call was also hosted to celebrate the unit's ninth birthday since its Aug. 18, 2009 activation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

The “Bricks in the Loop” cyber-physical training platform at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, helps 90th Cyberspace Operations Squadron members ready the Air Force’s Cyber Protection Teams. The CPTs defend priority Department of Defense networks and systems against malicious cyber-physical acts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

The “Bricks in the Loop” cyber-physical training platform at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, helps 90th Cyberspace Operations Squadron members ready the Air Force’s Cyber Protection Teams. Many of these elements can be hacked and made to light up, move forward or backward, spin, alarm, or stop working all together, to alert the trainee a cyber action has taken place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)

Members of the 5th Combat Communications Group, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, restore RADAR capabilites following the aftermath of Hurricane Michael at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 15, 2018. Multiple major commands have mobilized relief assets in an effort to restore operations after the hurricane caused catastrophic damage to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keifer Bowes)

Members of the 5th Combat Communications Group, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, restore RADAR capabilites following the aftermath of Hurricane Michael at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 15, 2018. Multiple major commands have mobilized relief assets in an effort to restore operations after the hurricane caused catastrophic damage to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keifer Bowes)

Staff Sgt. Justin Gonzalez, 33rd Network Warfare Squadron incident response operator, and GhostWire Academy course developer and co-founder, hosts a Network+ class in San Antonio, Oct. 21, 2018. The academy is a free cyber certification training and award organization which serves San Antonio teenagers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. R.J. Biermann)