Category: Defence Intelligence

Source: United States Air Force

SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) —  

The U.S. Air Force celebrated the life and lasting contributions of fifth Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert D. Gaylor at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Feb. 10.

The morning featured a memorial service held at JBSA-Lackland’s Gateway Chapel and included guest speakers: 19th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, 12th Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Eric Benken, and retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ken Gaylor, CMSAF Gaylor’s son. Retired Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) Bob Page officiated both ceremonies.

“Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gaylor served our Airmen and our Air Force for over 75 years,” Bass said. “He wore this uniform for 31 and continued for another 44, no doubt still feeling like a kid at Christmas. Our Air Force is better because of CMSAF Bob Gaylor. He is a national treasure; he is a legend; he is an American Airman, and his legacy will live on in all of us.”

Following the memorial service, the family escorted Gaylor to his final resting place at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard rendered full military honors, while the U.S. Air Force Band of the West ceremonial ensemble played “Taps” and “The Air Force Hymn.” The ceremony concluded with a three-ship T-38 Talon flyover in the missing-man formation and a presentation of the American flag to Gaylor’s family.

Gaylor leaves a legacy of military professional development through his contributions to the growth of the early noncommissioned officer academy. His direct efforts, both during and after his active duty service, aimed to improve the Air Force through further-developing its people.

Bass pointed out Gaylor’s strong reputation for professional military education development.

“The incredible character of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gaylor would make him the perfect fit to teach and develop a generation of Airmen,” Bass said.

After his retirement in 1979, Gaylor worked full-time and continued to offer speaking engagements for service members around the world.

“Hot fries, name on the mailbox, attitude, aptitude and opportunity,” Bass said. “Name another Airman you can identify with a single phrase or a collection of words that has left a lasting impact on the Air Force and our Airmen, both past and present. There is only one: Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Bob Gaylor, our beloved number five.”

Source: United States Air Force

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) —  

Gen. Kevin B. Schneider took the reins as the new Pacific Air Forces commander during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 9.

Schneider succeeds Gen. Ken Wilsbach, who commanded PACAF since July 2020 as the third-longest tenured commander in PACAF’s nearly 80-year history.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin presided over the change of command, noting the command’s importance in the world today.

“We are committed to maintaining a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, but our pacing challenge consistently threatens regional interests, negatively impacting security, sovereignty, and prosperity,” Allvin said. “I know Gen. Schneider assumes command with his eyes wide open to this contrasting strategic approach and I know he will continue to propel the PACAF team forward to meet the challenges of the future.”

Schneider returns to the Indo-Pacific having spent 12 years of his nearly 36-year career in the region, most recently serving in theater as the U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander from February 2019 to August 2021.

“PACAF Airmen are on the front lines of our reoptimization efforts,” Allvin said. “Adding Gen. Schneider’s leadership and extensive experience in the Pacific will not only benefit them, but also our valued Allies and partners across the region.”

As the 37th COMPACAF, Schneider oversees 46,000 Airmen across the Indo-Pacific, serving principally in Japan, South Korea, Hawaii, Alaska and Guam. The region accounts for nearly 60% of global Gross Domestic Product, two-thirds of global economic growth, five of the world’s nuclear powers, and seven of the ten largest militaries.

“To the men and women of Pacific Air Forces – officers, enlisted, civilians – it is the honor of a lifetime to be part of this team once again,” Schneider said. “I am fortunate to have been assigned in the Pacific for a third of my career, and it feels like home to me.”

Schneider also shared his vision for PACAF Airmen, spread across nine major Air Force installations and three Numbered Air Forces, to continue integrating with Allies and partners.

“The actions we take to ensure stability and deter aggression in the face of multiple growing challenges will have far-reaching and long-lasting impacts,” Schneider said. “But we do not do this work alone. The allied and partner air forces we team with in the Indo-Pacific grow stronger and more capable each day.”

He additionally highlighted his priorities, which include caring for people, ensuring force readiness, and driving modernization, all of which are included in the PACAF 2030 strategy.

“This is a time of great consequence for the Air Force and the nation, and much is resting on the shoulders of PACAF Airmen,” Schneider said. “But I have absolute faith in the abilities of our Airmen to do the hard work, to solve the tough issues, and to continue to deter those who attempt to undermine peace and stability.”

The event was also attended by many distinguished guests including: the Honorable Kristyn Jones, Under Secretary of the Air Force, and her spouse, Mr. Harry Jones; Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and his spouse, Ms. Laura Aquilino; Gen. Schneider’s spouse, Ms. Lori Schneider; Gen. Wilsbach’s spouse, Ms. Cindy Wilsbach; Chief Master Sgt. David R. Wolfe, outgoing PACAF command chief, and his spouse, Dr. Doniel Wolfe; and Chief Master Sgt. Kathleen McCool, the new PACAF command chief and her spouse, retired Chief Master Sgt. Christopher McCool.

Wilsbach departs the Pacific after devoting more than 20 years of leadership and service in the region. At the end of February, he will become the Air Combat Command commander at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

Aquilino expressed gratitude for Wilsbach’s dedication throughout his time in command.

“Gen. Wilsbach’s leadership over the past three years has set the stage for continued progress and successes for the air component in the Pacific,” Aquilino said. “With his focus on enhancing warfighting advantage, we’ve seen significant strides in ACE and maritime interdiction capabilities. Your leadership brought forth a lethal edge of our air domain that will deter future attacks.”

Wilsbach’s command was a storied one, having recently hosted the largest-ever Pacific Air Chiefs Symposium, which demonstrated the breadth and depth of relationships built between partner countries, developing the PACAF Strategy 2030, and expanding ACE capabilities.

“Having spent more than 20 years of my career in the Pacific supporting this mission, it’s been my true honor to serve as the PACAF commander,” Wilsbach said. “I am proud to pass my responsibilities to Gen. Schneider knowing he will continue to increase our joint and combined capabilities to deter aggression in the Pacific.”

Source: United States Air Force

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) —  

The 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing hosted Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall on Feb. 2 and Lt. Gen. Kevin Kennedy, 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) commander, from Feb. 1-2 at Fort George G. Meade to learn about the wing’s cryptologic mission.

Headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, the 16th Air Force serves as the Air Force’s Information Warfare Numbered Air Force. Its mission is to converge capabilities to generate IW outcomes for combatant commanders and air components.

“Part of my daily rhythm is receiving an intelligence update on the many challenges and threats our Air Force and Space Force faces,” Kendall said. “These products deliver expert-level detail and analysis. Meeting the intelligence Airmen working behind the scenes is important to me as a leader.”

As America’s Cryptologic Wing, the 70th ISRW plays a vital role in aiding the Air Force’s IW NAF by providing commanders with knowledge to help make advantageous decisions and de-escalate potential conflicts. It conducts global ISR in air, space, and cyberspace and is comprised of 6,200 Total Force Airmen assigned to six groups, 23 squadrons and two detachments, spanning 28 locations worldwide.

The 70th ISRW predominantly works alongside National Security Agency professionals in support of national intelligence needs and builds partnerships across the intelligence community in support of Air Force and joint force requirements.

“What we accomplish in the 70th ISRW is tremendously important to the entire ISR enterprise and our mission to generate insights for the Joint Force and national leaders,” Kennedy said. “As one of the Air Force’s largest wings, the leadership of our Airmen who analyze and translate signals intelligence is critical to generating combat power and ensuring the joint force is postured to win during competition as well as win during a potential crisis or conflict.”

The senior leader visits began with Kennedy as he met with 70th ISRW leadership and toured a few of the wing’s facilities on the NSA campus such as the dining facility, fitness center and recently renovated living quarters.

The general also engaged with members of 32nd and 7th Intelligence Squadrons, discussing capabilities with Airmen who conduct real-time SIGINT and cybersecurity missions across the globe.

“This is an amazing opportunity to highlight how we synchronize as a global wing along with our mission partners to ensure our Airmen are part of a highly effective, resilient team that is ready to win any fight, anytime,” said Col. Celina Noyes, 70th ISRW commander.

Kennedy capped off the first day with a mentorship lunch for field- and company-grade officers. He shared personal experiences learned throughout his career and answered questions about leadership and optimization of the work force.

“As leaders, you have to find the best way to lead your team in focusing on the key priorities that have the greatest mission impact,” Kennedy said. “I greatly appreciate what you’re doing to lead our Air Force. Your responsibility is to take care of the Airmen so that they can take care of the mission. You need to ensure they are trained, ready, and empowered.”

On the second day, Kennedy joined Kendall along with other senior leaders at the 70th ISRW headquarters where they received briefings on programs and capabilities employed by the wing, such as cyber threat and vulnerability interdiction, Over-the-Horizon Targeting and Publicly Available Information.

Through these efforts, the 70th ISRW pushes the cryptologic mission forward, securing national security systems and critical infrastructure to generate deep insights into foreign adversaries and prevail in an era of great power competition.

The leaders also recognized a few Airmen for their contributions in supporting the mission.

“Our one team, and the entire joint force, relies on you,” Kendall said. “Your analysis, products, and persistence are our advantage—they inform better decisions and allow us to better anticipate what seems unpredictable. More importantly, this visit makes it clear, our intelligence professionals constantly seek to hone their skills. Thank you for all that you do, making sense of a turbulent world is no small task.”

The senior leader visits concluded as they transitioned to U.S. Cyber Command and NSA for a change of command ceremony.