Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Lt. Gen. Kevin Kennedy, 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) commander, recently visited the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing (ISRW) at Fort George G. Meade. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the wing’s cryptologic mission. The 70th ISRW is headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and serves as the Air Force’s Information Warfare Numbered Air Force. Its mission is to generate IW outcomes for combatant commanders and air components by converging capabilities.
The 70th ISRW plays a crucial role in aiding the Air Force’s IW NAF by providing commanders with knowledge to make advantageous decisions and de-escalate potential conflicts. It conducts global ISR in air, space, and cyberspace and consists of 6,200 Total Force Airmen assigned to various groups, squadrons, and detachments across 28 locations worldwide. The wing works closely with the National Security Agency (NSA) and builds partnerships across the intelligence community to support Air Force and joint force requirements.
During the visit, Lt. Gen. Kennedy met with 70th ISRW leadership and toured the wing’s facilities on the NSA campus. He engaged with Airmen from the 32nd and 7th Intelligence Squadrons, discussing their capabilities in real-time signals intelligence and cybersecurity missions. Secretary Kendall also visited the 70th ISRW headquarters, where he received briefings on programs and capabilities employed by the wing.
The senior leader visits provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of the 70th ISRW’s role in the ISR enterprise and its mission to generate insights for the Joint Force and national leaders. The leaders also recognized several Airmen for their contributions to the mission. The visit concluded with a transition to U.S. Cyber Command and NSA for a change of command ceremony.
Overall, the visit emphasized the critical nature of the 70th ISRW’s cryptologic mission and its role in securing national security systems and critical infrastructure. The wing’s efforts in generating deep insights into foreign adversaries are essential in an era of great power competition. The visit also highlighted the dedication and expertise of the intelligence professionals working behind the scenes to inform better decisions and anticipate unpredictable events.
Images and subject matter derived from 3rd party sources including www.af.mil.
