FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Maryland -- The 512th Intelligence Squadron has achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC) for national cyber mission, becoming a fully mission proficient Reserve unit. The achievement was made Feb.1, 2020 and occurred seven months earlier than originally planned.
The 512th IS was activated in September 2017. It is a classic associate unit to the 41st Intelligence Squadron and is subordinate to the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The squadron swiftly achieved Initial Operational Capability and now has reached FOC well ahead of schedule.
The 512th IS has a unique cyber mission set that made their road to FOC more challenging than some other units. It internally works to get its members to be qualified in their Air Force Specialty Code, then works with the 41st IS and Cyber National Mission Force, an operational arm of United States Cyber Command, to work towards USCYBERCOM certification.
Lt. Col. Daniel Dunn took the reins as the 512th IS commander June 20, 2018. He said USCYBERCOM position training can exceed 75 weeks in length and can cost up to $160,000 per member for specialized positions, a complicated path for traditional reservists. However, through the talents of its Citizen Airmen, it has been able to leverage many of their special skill sets from the civilian side to reduce these costs and time.
“We were lucky in that my predecessor Col. Todd Borzych, along with my incredible superintendent, Chief Master Sgt. Laura Nicholson, laid the strong foundation for the unit we are today,” Lt. Col. Dunn said. “Building a unit is a tremendous challenge and having Chief Nicholson stay on to help me complete the work has allowed us to get to FOC quicker and set the unit up for future mission requirements. Of course, none of this could have been achieved without the dedicated and talented reservists of the unit,” Dunn added.
By reaching FOC, the 512th has completed a long list of requirements setting up administrative programs and processes as well as ensuring billets are filled with mission-ready Airmen. The unit passed its first ever Unit Effectiveness Inspection with a “successful” rating on June 9, 2019 and used the inspection results to improve and build up its already robust programs.
With the 512th achieving FOC, they are prepared to support any mobilization call for surge operations to achieve the national security goals of the United States.
“Most Reserve and Guard squadrons have a rigid monthly drill schedule that does not leave a lot of room for individuals to change drill times,” said Maj. Stephanie Hahn, 512th director of staff. With the unique nature of cyber Airmen, the 512th has made the most of flexible drill requirements, placing members on a quarterly mandatory unit training assembly schedule and allowing them to successfully flex with both operational and personal requirements. This flexibility has also aided in our great retention and recruiting efforts led by Chief Nicholson, which has kept the squadron at 140 percent manned consistently and assured a steady pipeline of ready Airmen,” said Hahn.
They are only one of two Air Force Reserve Command units that are part of the Department of Defense Cyber Operations Forces under USCYBERCOM, which are organized, trained and equipped to conduct offensive cyberspace operations. The unit’s primary mission is to augment the operations of USCYBERCOM’s Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF). CNMF Plans, directs, and synchronizes full spectrum cyberspace operations to deter, disrupt, and if necessary, defeat adversary cyber actors in order to defend the nation. It executes cyber operations to “Defend the Nation” against malicious cyber actors, activities, and/or actions.
The squadron has successfully augmented major CNMF operations as part of the total force integration force.