A team of Air Force Space Command-led inspectors deemed 24th Air Force, the service’s new cyber operations arm, “ready” after an initial assessment in December of its ability to conduct Air Force network operations and control USAF’s network. This score is an important milestone as the new numbered air force, which is headquartered at Lackland AFB, Tex., advances towards being cleared to assume initial operations. “While this is great news for the entire 24th Air Force team, they know this is just another key step on the path to operational readiness,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Webber, 24th AF boss. This initial operational capability assessment occurred on Dec. 22. Webber said this test was the first of many that 24th AF operators and support staff will undergo in the next year. (Lackland release)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.