Coast Guard

Lackland Air Force Base, Texas – The 688th Cyberspace Wing has made progressive efforts in Air Force Cybersecurity resiliency by establishing the first JFHQ-DoDIN-sanctioned Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment (CORA) Team. The new Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment (CORA) program is an updated version of the previous Cyber Command Readiness Inspection (CCRI) system.

As the first U.S. Air Force members of the CORA program team, six of the 688th Cyberspace Wing’s cybersecurity specialists have already begun paving the way for operational readiness assessments within the Air Force. The team is currently undergoing rigorous training and certification processes with the Joint Force Headquarters, Department of Defense Information Network (JFHQ-DODIN) to ensure that they are thoroughly equipped to handle their new responsibilities.

“It’s no longer just a snapshot in time. We first visit Air Force sites to help them understand where they currently are, and where they need to focus,” said Maj. Derrick Hahn, 688th Cyberspace Wing A6 Division Chief and founding Air Force CORA member. “We are headed to more bases to aid in their preparation for a CORA. This assessment, and partnering with the DODIN team, will provide us on the job training and hands-on experience”

To gain practical experience and refine their assessment techniques, the team has already conducted two successful CORA simulations, both in-person and virtually. Both of these exercises provided valuable insights into key areas requiring attention to ensure a robust, secure, and hardened network.

The team posited that the experience gathered from these early exercises will be instrumental in understanding how CORA assessments will be conducted across the Air Force once their certification process is complete. By examining the procedural logistics and coordination required, the team hopes to provide more efficient and comprehensive assessments in the future.

“We’re coordinating with the other branches as well, such as the Navy, Army, and Coast Guard, to see how their processes are aligned and if those processes can be used by the Air Force,” said Mr. Jorge Lozano, 688th Cyberspace Wing Air Force Cyber Assessment Team (AFCAT) Lead and another founding Air Force CORA member. “We’re seeing what works right now and then solving any gaps to move this forward within the enterprise.”

The 688th Cyberspace Wing CORA team is currently continuing their training and preparation throughout July, August, and September. They also said they are optimistic that their work will contribute to strengthening and modernizing the Air Force’s cybersecurity strategies and readiness, increasing defensive cyber capabilities across the Air Force and fortifying the Air Force Information Network (AFIN) amidst ongoing Global Power Competition.

The 688th Cyberspace Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, is aligned under Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), Air Combat Command. The wing is the Air Force’s premier cyberspace warfighting organization dedicated to delivering actionable intelligence and tactics, techniques, and procedures, deployable warfighter communications, engineering and installation capabilities, defensive cyber operations, and network security operations across the Air Force Information Network enterprise.

SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew returned to Seattle, Sunday, after 285 days away from the cutter’s home port.

Following a 138-day deployment to Antarctica supporting Operation Deep Freeze 2024, the Polar Star reported directly to Mare Island Dry Dock (MIDD) LLC. in Vallejo, California, to commence the fourth phase of a five-year Service Life Extension Project (SLEP).

The work completed at MIDD is part of the in-service vessel sustainment program with the goal of recapitalizing targeted systems, including propulsion, communication, and machinery control systems, as well as effecting significant maintenance to extend the cutter’s service life.

Polar Star’s SLEP work is completed in phases to coordinate operational commitments such as the cutter’s annual Antarctic deployment. Phase four began on April 1, 2024, targeting three systems:

Boiler support systems were recapitalized, including the electrical control station that operates them.

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system was refurbished through the overhaul of ventilation trunks, fans and heaters that supply the cutter’s berthing areas.

The flooding alarm system was redesigned, providing the ability to monitor machinery spaces for flooding from bow to stern.

Additional work not typically completed every dry dock included removing and installing the starboard propulsion shaft, servicing and inspecting both anchor windlasses, inspecting and repairing anchor chains and ground tackle, cleaning and inspecting all main propulsion motors and generators, installation of an isolation valve to prevent seawater intrusion into the sanitary system, and overhauling the fuel oil purifier.

Phase four of Polar Star’s SLEP took place over approximately 140 days and represented a total investment of $16.8 million. By replacing outdated and maintenance-intensive equipment, the Coast Guard will mitigate lost mission days caused by system failures and unplanned repairs. The contracted SLEP work items and recurring maintenance is taking place within a five-year, annually phased production schedule running from 2021 through 2025.

The Coast Guard is investing in a new fleet of polar security cutters (PSC) that will sustain the service’s capabilities to meet mission needs in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The SLEP allows Polar Star to continue providing access to the Polar regions until the PSCs are operational and assume the high latitude missions. Polar security cutters will enable the U.S. to maintain defense readiness in the Polar regions; enforce treaties and other laws needed to safeguard both industry and the environment; provide ports, waterways and coastal security; and provide logistical support – including vessel escort – to facilitate the movement of goods and personnel necessary to support scientific research, commerce, national security activities and maritime safety.

“Completing a dry dock availability is a positive milestone, and despite challenges due to being away from home port, our crew’s energy and resilience inspires me every day,” said Capt. Jeff Rasnake, Polar Star’s commanding officer. “The amount of time and effort put into Polar Star and its mission is truly remarkable. The dedication and teamwork displayed across all stakeholders exemplifies the Coast Guard’s flexibility and commitment to ensuring the continued success of Operation Deep Freeze as well as strengthened partnerships among nations invested in the Antarctic latitudes. I look forward to observing how this crew will continue to grow as a team and to discovering what we can accomplish together.”

Along with the rigorous maintenance schedule, Polar Star held a change of command ceremony on July 8, 2024, in Vallejo, where Rasnake relieved Capt. Keith Ropella as the cutter’s commanding officer. Rasnake served as the deputy director for financial management procurement services modernization and previously served as Polar Star’s executive officer. Ropella transferred to the office of cutter forces where he will oversee the management of the operational requirements for the cutter fleet and develop solutions for emerging challenges facing the afloat community.

Polar Star is the Coast Guard’s only active heavy polar icebreaker and is the United States’ only asset capable of providing year-round access to both polar regions.

Commissioned in 1976, the cutter is 399 feet, weighing 13,500 tons with a 34-foot draft. Despite reaching nearly 50 years of age, Polar Star remains the world’s most powerful non-nuclear icebreaker with the ability to produce up to 75,000 horsepower. Polar Star’s SLEP is important to the survival of the Antarctic mission and crucial to the well-being and success of Polar Star and crew during these long missions.

MOFFETT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. — The California Air National Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing successfully delivered critical medication to a woman aboard a sailboat 750 miles off the U.S. coast in the Pacific Ocean, following a complex rescue mission on Aug. 14, 2024.

The operation, which lasted eight hours, was initiated after the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC), the nation’s inland search and rescue coordination hub, received an urgent distress call early in the morning. The Coast Guard’s 13th District, responsible for maritime services in the Pacific Northwest, was the first to respond and coordinated with the AFRCC after learning of a medical emergency on a sailboat far at sea.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bevan Hart, 131st Rescue Squadron commander, emphasized the team’s readiness to act.

“We were ready to go,” Hart said, noting the unit’s operational efficiency and meticulous aircraft maintenance.

Recognizing the urgency, the 129th Rescue Wing quickly partnered with the Coast Guard and assembled a team of experts, including a flight surgeon and medical professionals, to assess the situation. The team decided that delivering medication rather than deploying pararescue jumpers was the most efficient course of action due to the sailboat’s remote location and the patient’s condition. The patient’s spouse, a former medic, was already aboard the sailboat and capable of administering the treatment once the medication was delivered.

The mission utilized a U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, chosen for its capabilities in long-range, over-water missions. A “line drop” procedure was planned, where the medication would be securely packaged and attached to a rope and small parachute for delivery.

With aircrews and pararescue jumpers onboard—the HC-130J departed from Moffett Air National Guard Base in the afternoon. After a lengthy flight, the crew arrived at the objective area and maneuvered to ensure the medication was dropped successfully. The patient’s spouse retrieved the package without issue.

By the time the HC-130J returned to Moffett Airfield that night, Coast Guard’s 13th District had confirmed the patient’s condition stabilized. The Coast Guard continued to monitor the patient as the sailboat made its way back to its home harbor.

Hart praised the close coordination between the agencies involved, highlighting the mission as a testament to the readiness and capability of the 129th RQW and their ongoing partnership with the Coast Guard.

The 129th RQW is credited with saving the lives of more than 1,160 people.

The wing’s federal mission is to train, prepare and conduct worldwide combat search and rescue operations over land or water. The wing leverages these skills at home by providing support to the California Governor’s office during state emergencies and contingencies, including search and rescue and aerial firefighting.