Air Force Communications Agency
Encyclopedia
The Air Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC), located at Scott Air Force Base
, Illinois
, is a direct reporting unit of the Air Force Space Command
(AFSPC). As the leader in shaping, provisioning, sustaining and integrating the AF enterprise network, AFNIC enables assured cyberspace capabilities for the United States Air Force
.
AFNIC has a shared responsibility to evolve the Air Force Network (AFNet) into a single integrated network environment with seamless, integrated systems, applications and capabilities. AFNIC further helps ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of critical information for the warfighter in support of Air Force priorities.
AFNIC communicates, collaborates and coordinates with other AF organizations and domain experts to develop "speed of need" cyberspace net-centric concepts and architectures, as well as tactics, techniques and procedures. Additionally, AFNIC leverages emerging cyber technologies to meet requirements for current and future air, space and cyberspace operations, allowing the Air Force to complete the sphere of information dominance.
Architectures & Analysis (EA): Develops cost-effective, interoperable network architecture solutions to achieve the Air Force's single integrated network environment vision. EA also provides AF enterprise records management and publications and forms management.
Enterprise Capabilities (EC): Performs Air Force Requirements Lead management for AFNet infrastructure capabilities and programs to enable AF network and warfighter operations.
Integration Engineering (EN): Provides the Air Force with integrated engineering solutions, as well as emulation and simulation capabilities to analyze and assess interoperability and risks to the AFNet enterprise.
Enterprise Systems (ES): Performs consolidated systems management and logistics support for common fixed and deployable Air Force cyber systems and services. ES also provides cyber training and joint range capabilities.
Information Assurance (EV): Provides information assurance guidance, management, and certification in order to achieve mission assurance.
Plans and Programs (XP): Operates as the prime center "integrator" and strategic planner. XP leads all operational, concept, functional and strategic support functions relating to local and enterprise strategic and integration planning.
Director of Staff (DS): Provides internal support to daily operations including task management, IT, multi-media, history, protocol, security and knowledge management.
Quality Assurance (QA): Ensures the center's compliance with Air Force policies and regulations, including self inspection checklists, safety, Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO21) and lessons learned.
Provision: AFNIC directly supports enterprise initiatives to characterize, standardize and operationalize the AFNet. These efforts identify and resolve capability gaps and seams, apply operational standards, security and certification, ensure Networthiness, and employ strategies to enable AF mission assurance. AFNIC effectively prioritizes warfighter requirements, evaluates capabilities through business case analysis, and devises appropriate alternative solutions. Provisioning involves systems, applications, security, and services to ensure warfighters can access reliable, accurate and complete information on the AFNet, anytime, anyplace.
Sustain: AFNIC delivers and maintains capabilities already fielded to the Enterprise AFNet. AFNIC provides specialized information technology training; produces, refines and disseminates AFNet policy, guidance and governance; and provides dynamic and comprehensive operational, exercise and simulation and logistics support for all cyber warriors. The center also provides network health and optimization capabilities.
Integrate: AFNIC serves as the cyberspace enterprise focal point for integration and interoperability across the AFNet. A prime priority for the cyberspace enterprise is developing and implementing the Single Integrated Network Environment (SINE) for the entire AF. The SINE will deliver the promise of full range net-centric capabilities, finally closing gaps and seams within the kill chain, and achieving warfighting advantage across the entire air, space, and terrestrial domains.
On March 13, 1946, AACS was redesignated Air Communications Service (ACS), and reassigned to the Air Transport Command
. The ACS was then redesignated the Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS) on September 11, 1946, and subsequently reassigned to the Military Air Transport Service
on June 1, 1948.
Airways and Air Communications Service became an Air Force major command again on July 1, 1961, and was simultaneously redesignated Air Force Communications Service (AFCS).
AFCS was redesignated Air Force Communications Command (AFCC) on November 15, 1979. AFCC became a field operating agency on July 1, 1991, reporting to Headquarters United States Air Force. Around this time, it lost all the communications units that had been gathered under it for many years. These units went to the groups or wings they had worked for. It was redesignated Air Force Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Agency (AFC4A) on May 28, 1993; AFC4A was redesignated the Air Force Communications Agency (AFCA) on June 13, 1996 and on April 1, 1997 was assigned to the Air Force Communications and Information Center. AFCA was reassigned to HQ United States Air Force on October 1, 2000.
AFCA was reassigned to HQ Air Force Space Command
on May 4, 2009, and redesignated the Air Force Network Integration Center on July 15, 2009. AFNIC works closely with 24th Air Force on cyber issues.
Scott Air Force Base
Scott Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force in St. Clair County, Illinois, near Belleville.-Overview:The base is named after Corporal Frank S. Scott, the first enlisted person to be killed in an aviation crash...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, is a direct reporting unit of the Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
(AFSPC). As the leader in shaping, provisioning, sustaining and integrating the AF enterprise network, AFNIC enables assured cyberspace capabilities for the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
.
AFNIC has a shared responsibility to evolve the Air Force Network (AFNet) into a single integrated network environment with seamless, integrated systems, applications and capabilities. AFNIC further helps ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of critical information for the warfighter in support of Air Force priorities.
AFNIC communicates, collaborates and coordinates with other AF organizations and domain experts to develop "speed of need" cyberspace net-centric concepts and architectures, as well as tactics, techniques and procedures. Additionally, AFNIC leverages emerging cyber technologies to meet requirements for current and future air, space and cyberspace operations, allowing the Air Force to complete the sphere of information dominance.
Mission
The Air Force Network Integration Center's mission is to serve as the Air Force focal point for shaping, provisioning, sustaining and integrating the enterprise network enabling assured core cyber capabilities to achieve warfighting advantage."People
Approximately 900 military, civilian and contractor cyber professionals are assigned performing the AFNIC mission.Resources
AFNIC manages approximately $691 million in resources. This figure encompasses both procurement and operations and maintenance funding. The AFNIC portfolio serves the entire Air Force with a broad spectrum of cyberspace capabilities, including long haul communications, Air Force Portal framework, base infrastructure, AFNet development, major network systems and applications, security services, cryptographic modernization, messaging, voice communications and more.Organization
The AFNIC comprises six distinct directorates and two special function offices:Architectures & Analysis (EA): Develops cost-effective, interoperable network architecture solutions to achieve the Air Force's single integrated network environment vision. EA also provides AF enterprise records management and publications and forms management.
Enterprise Capabilities (EC): Performs Air Force Requirements Lead management for AFNet infrastructure capabilities and programs to enable AF network and warfighter operations.
Integration Engineering (EN): Provides the Air Force with integrated engineering solutions, as well as emulation and simulation capabilities to analyze and assess interoperability and risks to the AFNet enterprise.
Enterprise Systems (ES): Performs consolidated systems management and logistics support for common fixed and deployable Air Force cyber systems and services. ES also provides cyber training and joint range capabilities.
Information Assurance (EV): Provides information assurance guidance, management, and certification in order to achieve mission assurance.
Plans and Programs (XP): Operates as the prime center "integrator" and strategic planner. XP leads all operational, concept, functional and strategic support functions relating to local and enterprise strategic and integration planning.
Director of Staff (DS): Provides internal support to daily operations including task management, IT, multi-media, history, protocol, security and knowledge management.
Quality Assurance (QA): Ensures the center's compliance with Air Force policies and regulations, including self inspection checklists, safety, Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO21) and lessons learned.
Capabilities
Shape: AFNIC develops, architects, and evolves the AFNet to meet and expand cyberspace capabilities in accordance with existing and emerging warfighter requirements.Provision: AFNIC directly supports enterprise initiatives to characterize, standardize and operationalize the AFNet. These efforts identify and resolve capability gaps and seams, apply operational standards, security and certification, ensure Networthiness, and employ strategies to enable AF mission assurance. AFNIC effectively prioritizes warfighter requirements, evaluates capabilities through business case analysis, and devises appropriate alternative solutions. Provisioning involves systems, applications, security, and services to ensure warfighters can access reliable, accurate and complete information on the AFNet, anytime, anyplace.
Sustain: AFNIC delivers and maintains capabilities already fielded to the Enterprise AFNet. AFNIC provides specialized information technology training; produces, refines and disseminates AFNet policy, guidance and governance; and provides dynamic and comprehensive operational, exercise and simulation and logistics support for all cyber warriors. The center also provides network health and optimization capabilities.
Integrate: AFNIC serves as the cyberspace enterprise focal point for integration and interoperability across the AFNet. A prime priority for the cyberspace enterprise is developing and implementing the Single Integrated Network Environment (SINE) for the entire AF. The SINE will deliver the promise of full range net-centric capabilities, finally closing gaps and seams within the kill chain, and achieving warfighting advantage across the entire air, space, and terrestrial domains.
History
The AFNIC has a long and proud lineage, and now serves as the sixth generation AF central communications and information organization. AFNIC traces its history back to the Army Airways Communications System (AACS), which was organized on November 15, 1938 in the Directorate of Communications of the U.S. Army Air Corps. The official lineage of the AACS, as a separate unit, began on April 13, 1943 with the constitution of the AACS Wing. The wing was soon reassigned directly to HQ Army Air Forces, on July 14, 1943. Major command status was reached with the addition of Headquarters (HQ) to the AACS name on April 26, 1944.On March 13, 1946, AACS was redesignated Air Communications Service (ACS), and reassigned to the Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command
Air Transport Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its mission was to meet the urgent demand for the speedy reinforcement of the United States' military bases worldwide during World War II, using an air supply system to supplement surface transport...
. The ACS was then redesignated the Airways and Air Communications Service (AACS) on September 11, 1946, and subsequently reassigned to the Military Air Transport Service
Military Air Transport Service
The Military Air Transport Service is an inactive Department of Defense Unified Command. Activated on 1 June 1948, MATS was a consolidation of the United States Navy Naval Air Transport Service and the United States Air Force Air Transport Command into a single, joint, unified command...
on June 1, 1948.
Airways and Air Communications Service became an Air Force major command again on July 1, 1961, and was simultaneously redesignated Air Force Communications Service (AFCS).
AFCS was redesignated Air Force Communications Command (AFCC) on November 15, 1979. AFCC became a field operating agency on July 1, 1991, reporting to Headquarters United States Air Force. Around this time, it lost all the communications units that had been gathered under it for many years. These units went to the groups or wings they had worked for. It was redesignated Air Force Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Agency (AFC4A) on May 28, 1993; AFC4A was redesignated the Air Force Communications Agency (AFCA) on June 13, 1996 and on April 1, 1997 was assigned to the Air Force Communications and Information Center. AFCA was reassigned to HQ United States Air Force on October 1, 2000.
AFCA was reassigned to HQ Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command
Air Force Space Command is a major command of the United States Department of the Air Force, with its headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. AFSPC supports U.S. military operations worldwide through the use of many different types of satellite, launch and cyber operations....
on May 4, 2009, and redesignated the Air Force Network Integration Center on July 15, 2009. AFNIC works closely with 24th Air Force on cyber issues.
Designations and Dates
- 15 November 1938 — Army Airways Communications System
- 13 April 1943 — Army Airways Communications System Wing
- 26 April 1944 — Headquarters Army Airways Communications System
- 13 March 1946 — Air Communications Service
- 11 September 1946 — Airways and Air Communications Service
- 1 July 1961 — Air Force Communications Service
- 15 November 1979 — Air Force Communications Command
- 28 May 1993 — Air Force Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Agency (AFC4A)
- 13 June 1996 — Air Force Communications Agency (AFCA)
- 15 July 2009 — Air Force Network Integration Center (AFNIC)