Officials announce proposed bases for new cyber headquarters

Air Force officials here announced Jan. 21 possible locations for the headquarters of 24th Air Force, a new numbered Air Force focused on the cyber mission.

The proposed bases to be under Air Force Cyber Command, in alphabetical order, are Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; Lackland AFB, Texas; Langley AFB, Va.; Offutt AFB, Neb.; Peterson AFB, Colo.; and Scott AFB, Ill.

Kevin W. Billings, the acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment, and logistics, said every basing decision is made through a measured and deliberate process to ensure the final decision is the best possible outcome for national defense and is in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

In selecting a base from among the six candidate bases, Air Force officials will consider cyber numbered Air Force mission synergy, including proximity to other cyber operational missions and access to scientific and technical expertise, and communication/bandwidth capabilities.

Other evaluation criteria include facilities and infrastructure, support capacity, security and transportation access. Air Force officials applied the two most important evaluation criteria -- cyber numbered Air Force mission synergy and communication/bandwidth capabilities -- to provide the final candidate basing list above.

"In basing 24th Air Force, we recognize the tremendous preparatory work several states have already done, and we intend to use much of that information, but the mission will ultimately define the final location," said Brig. Gen. Mark O. Schissler, the Air Force Cyber Operations director.

Air Force officials intend to make a final base selection no later than the end of June 2009.