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Eighth Air Force changes names not mission

By Tech. Sgt. Christopher DeWitt , Eighth Air Force Public Affairs / Published June 17, 2008

Col. Ward Heinke unfurls the 608th Air Force Network Operations Center flag during the Eighth Air Force redesignation ceremony June 10. The 608th AFNOC was just one of the units that received a new name due to a recent reorganization involving 8AF units. (Air Force photo by Airman First Class Benjamin McWha)
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Col. Ward Heinke unfurls the 608th Air Force Network Operations Center flag during the Eighth Air Force redesignation ceremony June 10. The 608th AFNOC was just one of the units that received a new name due to a recent reorganization involving 8AF units. (Air Force photo by Airman First Class Benjamin McWha)

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BARKSDALE, La. -- Headquarters Eighth Air Force was renamed Headquarters, Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) during a ceremony held here June 10. 

"Periodically, to create efficiencies or to adjust to new missions and technology, the United States Air Force will reorganize the staff structure of its subordinate warfighting headquarters," said Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder, Jr., Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) commander. 

With the 2008 transition to the Component Numbered Air Force or C-NAF structure, the global warfighting capabilities and expertise of "The Mighty Eighth" are formally aligned and focused under the United States Strategic Command, a Unified Commander responsible for global integration of military operations. 

"We are now aligned as a combat air force to better serve the wings," said Command Chief Master Sgt. Todd A. Kabalan, Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) command chief. 

With the name change came several other organizational changes involving both the Air Force Network Operations Center and the 608th Air and Space Operations Center. 

"Through this new organization we will be able to better provide integrated air, space, and cyber operations with other joint capabilities throughout the world for USSTRATCOM Commander and the Geographic Combat Commanders they support," said Col. Stephen Luxion, 608th AOC commander. 

"The newly renamed 608th AFNOC is still responsible for the defense, security and effective operations of the Air Force portion of the Global Information Grid," said Col. Ward Heinke, 608th AFNOC commander. "We will continue to provide the Air Force Network Operations commander total situational awareness to facilitate effective command and control of Air Force Cyberspace forces and enable the integration of non-kinetic offensive and defensive capabilities into the Air Force Strategic Operations Center's Integrated Tasking Order, producing global effects." 

With such a long history, this isn't the first time "The Mighty Eighth" has been restructured. 

"The Eighth Air Force's first headquarters reorganization was conducted on September 5, 1942, just months after it was activated," said Lane Callaway, Eighth Air Force (Air Forces Strategic) historian. "The last change of headquarters structure was conducted in the 1993 through 1994 timeframe with the Eighth Air Force implementing the General Purpose Numbered Air Force structure to better emphasize operational readiness and warfighting execution."