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Information warfare supports operations

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Holly MacDonald
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C --  Past wars were fought only on battlefields, with men marching out to fight, guns in hand. As the technology era grows, war strategies have changed. Today's world not only fights on the battlefield, but combats through the information environment. 

The 9th Air Force Information Warfare Flight supports the needs of U.S. Central Air Forces throughout its 27-nation area of responsibility by bringing Information Operations activities to the warfighter. The IWF is a team composed of members specializing in three core capabilities; influence operations, network warfare and electronic warfare, said Maj. David McGinn, 9th AF IWF director of operations. 

"IO activities within influence operations include: psychological operations, operations security, counter intelligence and counter propaganda. Network warfare deals primarily with network attack and supporting network defense. Basically, network defense prevents adversaries from gaining access to and exploiting friendly network information throughout CENTAF, while gaining access to and exploiting enemy network and communication systems. Electronic warfare specializes in electronic attack, electronic protection and electronic warfare support activities which include de-confliction of friendly communications. The IWF's goal for electronic warfare is control of the electromagnetic spectrum, using it to friendly forces advantage, while denying enemy access," Maj. McGinn said. 

"Presently, for both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, the IWF in garrison provides full spectrum IO capabilities as a reach-back tool to support forward-deployed personnel with limited resources available to them," said Maj. McGinn. "The IWF works with several CONUS agencies to accomplish their mission to include the Air Intelligence Agency and the office of special investigations. Through their support, the IWF is better positioned to leverage full-spectrum IO as needed. The Air Force instituted the IWF concept into all major commands and numbered Air Forces to provide the air component commander a team of IO experts embedded into the Air Operations Center to directly support the warfighter. The IWFs work closely together during exercises and real-world missions to enhance training and interoperability," said Mr. Doug Clark, 9th AF IWF Information Operations technical advisor. 

At Shaw, one area the IWF is constantly concerned with is the assessment of real-world information vulnerabilities. The IWF then educates military personnel on how to mitigate the vulnerabilities in order to protect critical information from potential adversaries. The IWF ensures all CENTAF personnel get in the habit of practicing information safety throughout the AOR, such as using secure telephone line, and monitoring the disposal and dissemination of information. 

The flight trains constantly so it is prepared for any situation and can deploy as a whole unit or as tailored teams in support of CENTAF IO objectives. 

The IWF is treated like a weapons system; it must bring all of its capabilities wherever it may go, Mr. Clark said. 

The Air Force is well positioned to carry out its IO mission through the IWFs. As the Air Force moves to achieve air and space superiority, the IWF can be a powerful tool against adversaries.