| Unit Name: | Twenty-Fourth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) |
| Dates: | 7 December 2010 - 11 October 2019 (as Twenty-Fourth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber)) 11 August 2009 - 7 December 2010 (as Twenty-Fourth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic)) [1] |
| Type: | Numbered Air Force |
| Role: | Provide combat-ready air force cyber forces for U.S. Cyber Command[2] |
| Command Structure: | Air Combat Command U.S. Cyber Command |
| Garrison: | Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, U.S.[3] |
| Garrison Label: | Headquarters |
| Decorations: | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
Twenty-Fourth Air Force / Air Forces Cyber (AFCYBER)[4] was a Numbered Air Force within the United States Air Force. The Air Force consolidated its cyberspace combat and support forces into 24 AF.[5] 24 AF was the Air Force component of U.S. Cyber Command.
On 11 October 2019, the 24th AF was merged with the 25th AF to form a reactivated 16th Air Force.
The 24AF was originally intended to be a part of the now-defunct Air Force Cyber Command; however, 24AF became a component of Air Force Space Command on 18 August 2009.
In August 2008, then-Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz placed a stop order suspending implementation of Air Force Cyber Command, halting personnel assignments and unit activations. On 6 October 2008, following its annual Corona conference, the Air Force announced Air Force Cyber Command activation would not take place, and that a Numbered Air Force, 24AF, would gain the cyber warfare mission as part of Air Force Space Command.[6]
One key element under 24 AF is the Air Force's primary network warfare wing, the 67th Cyberspace Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The new NAF also gained:
Over 14,000 Airmen make up 24 AF. Many of these are in place at other organizations. Air Force units also host cyber specialists from other organizations. Before the 24 AF was activated, the Air Force had announced six possible locations for its headquarters: Barksdale AFB, LA; Lackland AFB, TX; Langley AFB, VA; Offutt AFB, NE; Peterson AFB, CO; and Scott AFB, IL.
On 15 May 2009, Air Force officials announced Lackland as the preferred alternative, and the decision was confirmed on 12 August 2009.[7] The organization officially stood-up on 18 August 2009.[8] [9] On 22 January 2010, 24AF was certified by AFSPC/CC for its Initial Operational Capability.[10] Full Operational Capability was declared on 1 October 2010.[11]
In 2014, 24 AF provided the Cyber Mission Force for the Exercise Red Flag for the first time.[12] During U.S. Strategic Command's Exercise Global Lightning 14, 24AF operated as a Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber in support of a combatant commander during a large joint exercise for the first time.[13] Twenty-Fourth Air Force was reassigned to Air Combat Command on 17 July 2018.[14]