Emerging Roles of Combat Communication Squadrons in Cyber Warfare As Related to Computer Network Attack, Defense And Exploitation

The warfighter has become increasingly dependent of the cyber domain and the computer network that all the deployed forces use to plan and execute the Commander's intent and accomplish the objectives for mission success. The full spectrum of cyber dominance must include the need for computer network attack, defense and exploitation (CNA/D/E) at the tactical level. The combat communications squadrons (CCS) are the Air Force's deployable communication force structure for the joint and coalition war ghter during combat and Humanitarian Relief Operations. With the growing intensity to defend the warfighter's mission that is dependent on the network, instead of defending the entire Air Force GIG, the CCS's core competencies must continue to move from network assurance to mission assurance in a tactical communication environment. In order to provide this complete capability for the war ghter, the combat communication squadrons should reshape their mission to include the cyber operations focus of CNA/D/E. The CCS mission should strive to balance bare-base operations with the CNA/D/E capabilities and evolve combat communication squadrons into a total cyber force tactical unit. Therefore, it only makes sense that mission assurance at the lowest possible denominator must be achieved and maintained. This research intends to show how an Air Force CCS can provide those complete cyber capabilities needed for a deployed force commander to obtain full mission assurance in the cyber domain through a new CCS team structure and time-phased implementation plan.