by Airman 1st Class Erica Stewart
30th Space Wing Public Affairs
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- The redesignation June 18 of the 614th Space Operations Group as the 614th Air and Space Operations Center will help streamline communications at the operational level between combatant commanders and the service components, Air Force space officials said.
The redesignation included the inactivation of the 614th Space Intelligence Group, 614th Space Intelligence Squadron and 614th Space Operations Squadron. It is part of the implementation of a component numbered air force, or C-NAF, organizational structure designed to enhance the delivery of Air Force capabilities to combatant commanders.
The space C-NAF, known as 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic-Space), will be the Air Force space operations component to U.S. Strategic Command, and will improve the way the Air Force delivers and integrates space capabilities into the joint fight, said Maj. Suzanne Sauls, chief of 14th AF commander's action group.
One reason for the reorganization is to streamline communications at the operational level between the combatant commander with the responsibility for global space operations and the service component with the superiority of Air Force space forces, she said.
Another reason for the change to a C-NAF organizational structure is to realign units to provide unity of command in the performance of critical space operations capabilities, Major Sauls said. Manpower and skill sets from the inactivated 614th SIG, 614th SIS, and 614th SOPS units will be realigned to the 614th AOC.
"This redesignation represents another important milestone in the 'normalization' of Air Force space operations," said Col. Stephen Whiting, the 614th AOC commander. "As with other critical Air Force operational missions, the Air Force now stands up a dedicated AOC to be used by the assigned USSTRATCOM combatant commander to provide command and control of his assigned space operations units."
Consolidating the chain of command in this way allows the Air Force to deliver operational space capabilities through a single Air Force forces commander.
Even with this structure change, the jobs the Airmen do in the 14th AF will not change; Airmen will just report to a different commander.
"This structure change is not really going to affect us much day to day," said Airman 1st Class Sarah Mitchell, 614th Space Intelligence Squadron. "We will do the same jobs, just have a different commander. Our old commanders will still be in charge of us but in the form of division chiefs."
With the Air Force downsizing to become a leaner, more efficient force, 14th AF officials feel that this re-designation will be a positive change.
"With the redesignation of the 614th AOC, the Air Force has simplified and streamlined its presentation of forces to the Joint Space Operations Center," Colonel Whiting said, "while leveraging unique Air Force capabilities and competencies, in concert with those of our sister services, to improve joint warfighting. The Air Force will now organize, train, equip, support and sustain the AOC dedicated to space operations in the same manner as its other AOCs."
