39th IOS hosts generals, congressional staffers

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vance Clark
  • 39th IOS
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  For some units the appearance of three general officers and a few congressional staffers from the Senate Appropriations Committee at its doorstep might be cause for concern or even panic, but for Lt. Col. Steve Ranalli, 39th Information Operations Squadron commander, and its members, it's just business as usual.

The senior level interest in the mission of the 39th IOS came after the graduation of the first Undergraduate Network Warfare Training Course. UNWT is a 38-day, high-intensity training Airmen the fundamentals of all aspects of network warfare. The course will expand to 50 days starting in October.

"UNWT is providing the Air Force with trained experts to support and defend our interests in cyberspace," Colonel Ranalli said. "UNWT is only one aspect of the mission the squadron carries out."

As the Air Force's premier Information Operations and Cyberspace schoolhouse, the 39th IOS teaches the IO integration course which teaches the basics of IO, Air Force and Joint doctrine, executing organizations and operational functions. While all ranks and career fields attend IOIC the majority of students are going to or currently working in IO flights within the Air and Space Operations Center.

The schoolhouse also developed and teaches the Signature Management Course and Operational Military Deception Course, which train wing level and major command level deception planners to provide commanders with viable options.

With over 500 students a year traversing through the schoolhouse a year the requirement for adequate equipment and facilities exist.

"We currently have a 17,000 square foot facility that includes several classrooms equipped with cutting edge communication and computer systems that allows for multiple security level interaction and real-time war gaming," Colonel Ranalli said.

As the needs of the Air Force grow the need to increase student matriculation will grow as well.

"By the fall we will break ground on the 4,500 square foot north addition, which will provide for an additional classroom and storage area," Colonel Ranalli said. "The additional space will make it possible for the squadron to develop and teach additional courses in Influence Operations and an intermediate Network Warfare Operations course."

Another improvement in training came when the 39th IOS established connectivity to the Joint IO range, allowing for improved IO and cyber training. The 39th IOS is the first Air Force schoolhouse on the range.

"The influx of recent visitors because of our newest course has allowed us to showcase the unit and the hard working men and women who make it possible. What we do here directly benefits the Air Force and its mission to fly and fight in Cyberspace."