Photo By Tech. Sgt. Anthony Hyatt | The 363d Intelligence Support Squadron poses for a group photo, April 23, 2022 at...... read more read more
One squadron in the 363d Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing is responsible for more than 2,000 assets and over 600 personnel at Campus Langley and aims to be the Air Force’s premier Mission Assurance Team.
The 363d Intelligence Support Squadron’s mission is to assure the availability, security, and timely dissemination of targeting options and ISR analytical products while enabling the 363 ISRW’s four mission areas in support of Air Component Commanders, the Intelligence Community (IC), and our Joint and Coalition partners worldwide.
ISS is critical to assuring the timely production and dissemination of full-spectrum targeting products for Air Component Commanders, the IC, and our Joint and Coalition teammates across the globe.
“The Cyber Cats provide direct/hands-on communications support to the Targeting Mission,” said Senior Master Sgt. Adam Weingarten, 363 ISS Senior Enlisted Leader.
The 363 ISS is split into two main sections: [Security] Cyber Operations (SCO), and [Security] Plans and Resources Flight (SCX).
SCO encompasses Client Systems and Network Operations Sections, and makes up for nearly half of the 363 ISS.
This section takes care of administration and sustainment of more than 150 servers and conducts campus IT support. This flight includes Communications Focal Point/Help Desk, Executive Communications, Client Systems and System Administrators.
“Being attached to the ISR Wing and getting to see firsthand the impacts we [ISS] help generate through our day-to-day Cyber Operations is one of the more satisfying parts about the job,” said Master Sgt. Scott Cole, 363 ISS Cyber Operations flight chief. “Most Cyber jobs are primarily behind the scenes and you’re several links removed from [Big AF] mission impact, but here within the 363d ISR Wing, we are extremely close to our customer’s mission impact.
The ISS often works with agencies outside the ISR Wing, which can sometimes take control out of their hands.
“Coordinating and relying between multiple agencies outside of the ISRW to satisfy our customer’s requirements as quickly as possible is the hardest part about our job,” said Cole.
According to Cole, the ISS keeps the Wing’s IT enterprise network up and running which provides C2 to 3.2K Total Force Airmen, seven combatant commanders, and 12 AOCs. Additionally, they resolve more than 3,000 campus support issues annually in addition to testing and baselining targeting systems that are deployed Air Force-wide.
The SCX or Plans and Resources Flight is responsible for all for activities related to 363d command, control, communications, and computers systems planning for the 363 ISRW campus, which is geographically separated across 8 buildings on Joint Base Langley, Va.
“We process all Information Technology (IT) requirements; providing secure, reliable cyber support for target development, analysis and dissemination,” said Mr. Joshua Berman, 363 ISS SCX director.
According to Berman some common taskers from the SCX flight include: plans support for IT projects, cybersecurity programs, managing a nearly $1M IT budget, and accountability of 1,800 IT assets.
“The flight is forward thinking and is frequently planning for future requirements for the campus, as well as mitigating risk to computer vulnerabilities,” Berman said.
The SCX section is vital to Wing because the provide the tools required for everyone on the campus to perform their job.
Another small section that exists in ISS is the SCQ.
The SCQ function of ISS ensures that other work performed by the ISS is meeting or exceeding Air Force and local standards.
“SCQ fulfills MPTO 00-33A-1001 requirement to ensure that programs, processes, and training are of the type and quality to meet and/or exceed mission needs,” said Tech. Sgt. David Gevert, 363d ISS Quality Assurance. “To that end, we manage seven quality assurance functions: personnel evaluations, equipment evaluations, technical order management, corrosion prevention and control program, electrostatic discharge program, review of Statement of Work and Performance-Based Work Statement documents, and validating local work cards.”
For this two-person section, one of the hardest parts of QA is keeping up with all the AFI references and updates.
“Many Air Force instructions and documents will reference other documents, so the amount of research that can go into determining what the correct answer is to a question or figuring out exactly what Air Force policy says and means can be difficult,” Gevert added.
Recently, the ISS received positive feedback from the 2022 ACC Unit Effectiveness Inspection; contributing to the Wing’s highly effective equipment management in addition to the ISS’ project management team earning recognition as a program strength.
The squadron has also launched several new initiatives, including the unit’s “Cyber A(cat)emy”, “All in Day”, as well as last Spring’s “Cyber Games” aimed at enhancing the collaboration of cyber personnel assigned to Langley AFB.
According to Weingarten, Cyber A(cat)emy was established under the Wing and Squadron priority “Develop the Force.” The intent of Cyber Acatemy is to transform how the ISS trains and operates; to hone our technical competence and develop future cyber leaders.
“All in all, this effort has revolutionized the ISS Cyber Training, reduced our training pipeline from 18 months to about six months or less, and focuses on the mission,” said Weingarten.
Another product that ISS has created in their workplace is a teamwork atmosphere. This is evident in initiatives they have created like “All-In Day”.
The “All-In Day Intent” will apply squadron resources, people, time, and focus to one specific building per month. This high-energy event aims to resolve issues, forge relationships, get ahead of problems and educate the force. The squadron will concentrate a majority of their Airmen into one section to complete all the taskers/tickets in a quicker time.
“Over the last year, our team has performed at extraordinarily high-levels while engaged in supporting efforts for several high-visibility, pressure-packed situations,” said Maj. Jon Piekarczyk, 363 ISS commander. “It's great to be a part of a team that comes together in those circumstances, solves problems, and gets it done. It's also great to see your teammates recognized by their efforts in such endeavors.”
Over the last six months, the Cyber Cats have had personnel coined by the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the Commander of Air Combat Command, as well as the Secretary of the Air Force. In addition, as a unit, ISS has been recognized as the 363 ISRW's nominees for the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer Digital Modernization Team Award as well as the Air Force Information Dominance, General Edwin Rawlings Team Award.
| Date Taken: | 10.12.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.12.2022 10:28 |
| Story ID: | 431119 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 483 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, The 363d ISS Cyber Cats: the digital fuel powering precision airpower, by TSgt Anthony Hyatt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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