AFRC Commander visits cyber Airmen

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Josh Woods
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas --  Lieutenant General James F. Jackson, Air Force Reserve Command commander, visited and toured the only Reserve cyberspace organization here April 10.

The 960th Cyberspace Operations Group, activated in 2013, is the first cyberspace group in the Air Force and has administrative control over 10 Reserve cyber organizations throughout the country.

During Jackson's visit, cyber Airmen briefed the general on the group's current operational capability and gave him a tour of their facilities.

"It was humbling to see the general take the time to understand what we do to enable a higher understanding and support at his level," said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Zimmerman, a member of the 960 CyOG and a Deserving Airman Program-selectee.

Jackson also hosted a town hall where he opened up about bolstering the growth of the cyberspace mission and its future in the AFRC continuum.

"Cyber is one of the biggest areas in the Reserve and growing and enhancing cyber in the Reserve is one of our current goals," the general said.

Col. Lloyd Terry, Jr., commander of the 960 CyOG, continued the general's sentiment about the unit's growth. One of Terry's focuses for the group is conquering the cyber recruitment battlefront.

"The only thing in our future is growth," Terry said. "We are looking across the spectrum, from career field transfers to bringing folks off the street, to be cyber warfare officers and cyber warfare operators."

This is the Year of Connections, Jackson said to the 960th Reservists during his town hall.

"Connecting families to other Reserve families through our key spouse programs, as well as connected reservists to each other, remains a priority for us," he added.

One of the many honors of having the leader of Citizen Airmen host a town hall was being able to recognize several top performers.

Zimmerman was one of five 960th Airmen presented with a coveted AFRC commander's coin at the end of the town hall.

"It was encouraging to be recommended by my squadron commander and especially honored to be recognized by General Jackson," Zimmerman said.

Following his cyber tour, the general visited the 433rd Airlift Wing.