BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The 455th Expeditionary Communication Squadron recently increased the Comprehensive Airman Fitness network.
The CAF network is available to all Airmen that are assigned to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. The bandwidth was recently increased by 800% and the network coverage area was expanded.
“Now devices can connect to Condor Net faster,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Childs, 455th ECS commander. “Each registered device now has a five megabyte connection speed which means a more stable connection.”
According to Childs, the CAF WiFi creates an environment so Airman have the tools required to maintain the necessary balance of cognitive skills, physical endurance, emotional stamina and spiritual well-being needed to execute our mission.
“This upgrade took several months of working with the legal and contracting offices,” said Master Sgt. Kevin Benedict, 455th ECS NCOIC of plans and requirements. “We had to make sure that we were getting the right company to make this upgrade the best that it could possibly be.”
“Wireless internet and the connectivity that it provides are necessary to allow Airmen to grow through the four domains of CAF (mental, physical, social and spiritual),” said Childs. “These domains are vital to CAF’s integrated framework that plays a contributory role in sustaining a fit, resilient and ready force allowing our Airmen to defend, support and deliver airpower which enables a successful train, advise and assist Afghanistan campaign.”
In addition to faster network connection, the 455th ECS will be extending the network coverage area.
“The next phase in the upgrade will be to add more wireless access points throughout the base to improve reception,” said Benedict. “That phase of the upgrade will finish in late December 2017 barring any logistical or shipment issues.”
In addition to the CAF WiFi upgrade, the 455th ECS has stood up a new Cyber Defense Flight.
On August 17, 2017, U.S. Cyber Command ordered all services, agencies and combatant commands to organize for sustained conflict in cyberspace.
The 455th ECS Cyber Defense Flight was designed to help defend the AEW networks, improve cyber hygiene, and focus security on key terrain in cyberspace.
“In today’s world, cyberspace is contested,” said Childs. “The Department of Defense networks are high valued targets because they enable all core missions.”