Arctic Cyberwarriors: Enabling “C2 for the Intercept”

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Glen Genove
  • 611th Air Communications Squadron commander
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  It is fair to say that effective Command and Control has been a significant contributor to the many battlefield victories in our nation's almost two decades of continuous military operations since Operations Desert Shield/Storm. Here in the Alaskan region, the 611th Air Communications Squadron, one of the three squadrons within the 611th Air Support Group, enables effective C2 for key leaders through long-haul communications, network operations, battle staff, and crisis action team support for the 611th Air and Space Operations Center. In addition, the squadron serves as the 11th Air Force's Air Force Forces communications staff, working initiatives spanning across the Alaskan theater. 

Redesignated the 611th ACOMS Oct. 1, 2007 as part of the Chief of Staff of the Air Forces Program Action Directive 06-09, the unit's lineage dates back to 1995, when it was the 611th Air Communications Flight under the 611th Air Operations Group, predecessor to today's 611th AOC. During its history, the 611th ACF led numerous initiatives to improve air C2 capabilities in Alaska. Among them include communications upgrades for the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region/ Alaskan Air Defense Sector, the installation of the Defense Red Switch Network on Elmendorf AFB, and increasing bandwidth capacity at forward operating bases. 

Today, the 47 person 611th ACOMS provides a wide spectrum of capabilities to support the mission. The Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Operations Flight operate a $2.1 million releasable to Canada classified network supporting approximately 350 users. It provides network operations and support center, infrastructure, and information assurance support. The Mission Systems Support Flight oversees communications-electronics support for a $4.3 billion air control system at 23 sites over 590,000 square miles throughout Alaska. It is responsible for long-haul communications of radar data and voice communications from Alaska's 15 long-range radar sites, two forward operating locations, three radio relay sites, and Eareckson Air Station. The Plans and Implementation Flight is the contracting officer representative for two base operations support contracts and one operations and maintenance contract, some of Pacific Air Force's largest contracts worth $82 million, and manages $22 million in information technology requirements. Among the key initiatives that the flight leads is the $28 million Link-16 installation across the state, $7.4 million Satellite Communications Diversity project, and planning for the Air and Space Operations Center 10.1 Weapon System installation. 

In its brief history as a squadron, the 611th ACOMS has successfully participated in numerous Northern Sovereignty Operations in support of the Alaskan NORAD Region, to include the first intercept of a Russian TU-95 Bear bomber by an F-22 Raptor. Additionally, the unit provided vital secure communications for personnel deployed throughout Alaska in support of the recent presidential visit. 

While support to the NORAD air defense and homeland defense missions have been the primary mission since its inception, the 611th ACOMS is also postured to provide communications support to other missions as directed. As the communications focal point for the Air Component in Alaska, the squadron is increasing its engagement with Service, Joint and interagency partners with a view to improving the communications posture in the state. 

As the Cyberwarriors of the Arctic, the men and women of the 611th ACOMS stand proud and ready to ensure our operational community has no problems "Communicating Across the North."