"The Art of the Possible"
Mission Statement: Deliver proven Information Operations and Engineering Infrastructure capabilities integrated across air, space and cyberspace domains.
The 688th Information Operations Wing is located at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The wing delivers proven Information Operations and Engineering Infrastructure capabilities integrated across air, space and cyberspace. The 688th team is comprised of more than 1200 military and civilian members skilled in the areas of engineering installation, weaponeering, operations research, intelligence, communications and computer applications. The wing was formally designated on August 18, 2009, the same day 24th Air Force stood up as the Air Force's Cyberspace Numbered Air Force under Air Force Space Command and is composed of two groups: the 318th Information Operations Group (IOG) at Lackland AFB and the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Group (CEG) at Tinker AFB, Okla.
The 318 IOG explores new cyberspace technologies to engineer next-generation weapons capabilities for operational warfighters. It has a formal test squadron for developmental and operational test and evaluation; a tactics squadron to optimize IO Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for weapon systems; a school house to arm the next generation of cyber warriors with the most up-to-date information; and an assessment squadron to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities on Air Force systems. The 318th was the operational group of the former Air Force Information Operations Center (AFIOC) which was originally activated as the 6901st Special Communication Center in July 1953, and became the Air Force Electronic Warfare Center (AFEWC) in 1975. Air Force successes in exploiting enemy information systems during Operation Desert Storm led to the realization that the strategies and tactics of command and control warfare could be expanded to the entire information spectrum and be implemented as information warfare. In response, the Air Force Information Warfare Center (AFIWC) was activated on September 10, 1993, combining technical skill sets from the former AFEWC with the Air Force Cryptologic Support Center's Securities Directorate and intelligence capabilities from the former Air Force Intelligence Command. On October 1, 2006, AFIWC, was re-designated AFIOC. The name was changed to better reflect the center's continued advancements in network warfare, electronic warfare and influence operations missions. AFIOC was re-designated as the 688th Information Operations Wing on August 18, 2009 and aligned under 24th Air Force.
The 38 CEG is the Air Force's premier Engineering and Installation group - the backbone of the cyberspace domain. They provide systems telecommunications managers to every COCOM, MAJCOM, and Air Force base worldwide. Additionally, their Special Engineering Branch provides unique communications solutions to a variety of customers worldwide. The group was formerly the 38th Engineering Installation Group under Air Force Materiel Command. New to the 38 CEG is the 85th Engineering Installation Squadron (EIS) at Keesler AFB, MS. The 85 EIS is a team of nearly 100 military members who are doc-tasked to deploy engineering solutions anywhere in the world within 72 hours.