AFCEE nears completion of top-notch cyber security facility

  • Published
  • By Robert Ginsberg
  • AFCEE Capital Investment Execution Division
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Just a short walk down the hall from Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment offices, AFCEE engineers are nearing completion of a new Air Force cyber security facility.

The project symbolizes AFCEE's continued commitment to the Air Force's "20/20 by 2020" initiative as it uses existing Air Force real estate for consolidation purposes. The initiative aims to reduce owned, leased and Air Force-led joint base real property and associated operating costs by 20 percent by the year 2020.

The $13.7 million facility will be home to 24th Air Force headquarters and the 624th Operations Center currently housed at Lackland AFB.

24th AF is the operational warfighting organization that establishes, operates, maintains and defends Air Force networks and conducts full-spectrum operations in cyberspace. In August 2009, a letter from the Secretary of the Air Force announced the realignment of Air Force cyberspace activities, assigning the 67th Network Warfare Wing, 688th Information Operations Wing and the 689th Combat Communications Wing to 24th AF. The letter also activated and assigned the 624th OC to 24th AF.

In support of this large organization, the new 50,000 square-foot space will host approximately 456 civilian and military personnel.

The design called for both facility renovations and minor construction. Renovation efforts included selective interior demolition and replacement of new walls and ceilings as well as providing dedicated mechanical, electrical and telecommunication systems required for a sensitive compartmented information facility, or SCIF. Minor construction efforts included selective demolition and installation of mechanical and electrical systems to house equipment.

The location of the facility is strategically placed in the middle of the Texas cyber security community.

"This location was ideal because it is conveniently located near other cyber security facilities in the San Antonio area like the Joint Information Operations Warfare Command and the National Security Agency's Texas Cryptology Center," said AFCEE project manager Roby Gregg. "The San Antonio area is quickly becoming the hub for U.S. cyber security."

The facility is also in close proximity to the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency and the Air Force Cryptologic Support Group.