Office supports AF network

  • Published
  • By Bernie Goodrich
  • Business and Enterprise Systems Directorate

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. – For more than two decades, the Air Force Systems Networking office has provided the depth of diverse knowledge and expertise required to implement/install and help sustain, the Air Force network from the base to the (Air Force) level.

AFSN played an integral role in the establishment of the 16 Air Force Gateways. These Gateways provide an “Enterprise” or “Air Force” network level security boundary. In 2013, AFSN was an important implementation partner in the modernization of the Air Force Gateways which greatly enhanced/increased the network performance of the security boundaries. Today, AFSN continues to provide sustainment.

Two very important responsibilities AFSN has, as part of its network support mission, are the Air Force Internet Protocol (IP) and Long Haul Communications Management. Both are essential to Air Force network users, as they provide host or network identification, location address and the Long Haul communications circuits, which connect the Air Force to the larger Department of Defense network.  Breaking it down even further, without these services, you would not have email nor would you have internet access.

AFSN personnel provide “soup to nuts” network project implementation support services. These include, design, design review, site surveys, project technical and management documentation as well as site acceptance testing and documentation post installation. AFSN does this in support of the C3I Infrastructure Division project implementations, as well as, for the Defense Information Systems Agency Joint Regional Security Stack project.

In support, AFSN project managers, engineers and technical personnel are engaged in the implementation of the Base Information Transport Infrastructure Recapitalization Program.

BITI is a two pronged program that provides a secure infrastructure for both wired and wireless environments. It includes features like intrusion detection and monitoring. It also provides central administration which incorporates high-availability and multi-tiered network administration for entry into base local area networks at Air Force bases worldwide.

Over the past year, AFSN has conducted six site surveys. Government witness testing for its next two AFSN-led BITI efforts is nearly complete and AFSN is preparing for installation activities at an Air Force base in Alaska and another on the Pacific island of Guam.  The AFSN installation team will install and configure 1.6 million dollars’ worth of base network equipment in roughly four weeks across 80 separate base facilities, ensuring each device meets critical cyber security requirements. 

From the enterprise down to the base level, AFSN plays an all important role in ensuring Air Force networks provide enhanced and secure capability, and maximum availability, in support of the Air Force mission to “Fly, Fight, and Win.”