U.S. Air Force Special Operations Communications Squadron conducts real-time airborne cyber defense mission

IRIA STAFF – December 17, 2021

Earlier this year, the U.S. Air Force mission defense team for the first time conducted near real-time cyber threat analysis and deterrence onboard MC-130J Commando II aircraft on November 22.

The mission was carried out by the Air Force 27th Special Operations Communications Squadron (SOCS) Mission Defense Team on an active special operations airlift aircraft. According to the Air Force release, it was the first time this capability has been connected to an operational weapon system outside of a laboratory environment.

The U.S. Air Force has paced its efforts for transforming traditional communications squadrons into cyberspace units, and the Mission Defense Team pathfinders are one of the primary initiatives in the redesign.

According to the 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs release on December 8, “Over the last few months, the team focused their efforts on the MC-130J through close partnerships with both the 9th Special Operations Squadron and the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, 27th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.”

The Mission Defense Team also engaged with several organizations, such as “Air Force Material Command, the Air Force Research Laboratory, the MC-130J Special Program Office, and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center”, the statement added.

^{U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Crafts, 27th Special Operations Communications Squadron Mission Defense Team member, explains the capabilities of the new computer-based cyber defense and maintenance diagnostics software to Col. Terence Taylor, 27 SOW commander, and other wing senior leaders on board an MC-130J Commando II aircraft of the 9th Special Operations Squadron, at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Nov. 22, 2021. (Image Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christopher Storer)}

The 27th SOCS commander Major Emily Short said, “My squadron was tasked, as a Mission Defense Team pathfinder, to predict and overcome the challenges of the future strategic competition environment – specifically within communications contested or congested environments… My Airmen have exceeded all expectations through their technical expertise, ingenuity, and exceptional mission partnerships”

The Air Force Mission Defense Team technicians also innovated new capabilities to materialize “the light, lean, and real-time requirements” for the Air Force Special Operations Communications missions.

The U.S. Air Force release added: “MDT technicians virtualized the cyber vulnerability assessment kit and wrote their own code to translate critical aircraft flight information during operations onto an aircrew readable dashboard. The development of these capabilities exponentially decreased the amount of equipment required while also adding real-time data analysis.”

The U.S. Air Force Mission Defense Team protects Air Force critical missions and equipment, such as computers related to aircraft, remote control systems, and other critical infrastructure.

The 27th SOCS Mission Defense Team flight chief, Master Sgt. Javier Parris said, “The MDT’s ability to provide near real-time mission system cyber analysis allows mission owners critical insight regarding the weapon system’s critical components and inputs. Moreover, this capability can be utilized to enhance aircrew situational awareness, decreasing their time to react to emerging cyber intrusions.”

*^{MC-130J Commando II, multimission combat transport and special operations tanker. (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin)}*

The Mission Defense Team “continues to lead efforts within AFSOC and strengthen its position as a leading Mission Defense Team in the Air Force,” Parris added.

According to the information provided by the cyber analysis team, the mission also demonstrated “the potential to shape preventative maintenance functions on MC-130Js” aircraft. The captured information, followed by the analysis would allow the team to predict requirements that are needed to strengthen MC-130J fleet operations for routine maintenance actions and enhance its position in strategic power competition.

The Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II is a multi-mission transport/special operations and combat aircraft. It has been assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The aircraft’s unique features and its powerful engines enhance the combat performance of the AFSOC.