The 24th Air Force will be established under U.S. Air Force Space Command for cyber operations, according to Maj. Gen. Thomas Deppe, vice chief of the Air Force Space Command. AvWeek's Amy Butler heard Deppe today at the Strategic Space and Defense 2008 conference in Omaha, Neb.

(Chart: The USAF declares it has made genuine "progress" in standing up cyber warriors over the last year.) 

The decision over the so-called Numbered Air Force (NAF) in part marks the armed service's efforts to move forward, albeit still tentatively, in establishing greater cyberwar capabilities. Indeed, the air service said elsewhere Oct. 8 that locations for a new nuclear command and cyber NAF were not addressed at the annual Coronoa senior leadership conference last week because they require further deliberation.

"The conduct of cyber operations is a complex issue, as DOD and other interagency partners have substantial equity in the cyber arena," USAF Secretary Michael Donley said at Corona. "We will continue to do our part to increase Air Force cyber capabilities and institutionalize our cyber mission."

Other key USAF issues discussed at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., conference included an update on the status of contentious joint basing initiatives,  development of a common Logistics Standardization Evaluation Program, and consideration of possibly integrating the networks used to repair the Air Force's weapon systems.

"We came together to discuss key issues, chart a way ahead and move forward with sound decisions," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, USAF chief of staff. "Our goal is a more stable Air Force, focused on our core missions, as a key member of the joint team."