ESC: C ammunications eaves- dropping by both sides during World War If caused Sir Force leaders to recog- nize a need for an effec- tive communications security system. In May 1946 the first organizational step in this direction was taken when the Air Force Security Group was informally estab- lished. When officially formed July 1, 1948, the unit consisted of eleven officers and same enlisted clerical personnel on loan from the Army Security Agency. As the need to mave more fully into communi- cations security grew, so did the Security Group. Then in recognition of the expanded role of communi- cations security, the Air Force Security Service was established at Arlington ESC traces its history Hall Station, Va., in October 1948. From this time on, the new cammand assumed the responsibility of providing communications security for the relatively new Air Force. Initially, Security Service was authorized 34 officers, six airmen and 116 civilians. The command received its first subordinate units in February 1949 when three mobile radio squadrons and one radio security detach- ment were transferred from the Army. One of the radio squadrons was located in Japan, another in Germany, and the third was at Ariing- ton Hali Station and moved to Brooks AFB, Texas, in late February 1949. The radio security detachment was located at Fort Slacum, N.Y, In April 1949, the first echelon of headquarters Security Service and the Fort Slocum detachment moved to Brooks ArB, Texas. USAF Security Service moved across town to its present location at Kelly AFB in August 1953. At the time of its final move, the com- mand had grown to several thousand assigned personnel. During the Vietnam Con- flict the command was assigned the permanent responsibility for evaluating all Air Force electronic warfare activities. As the ‘war In Vietnam drew to ar end, the command assumed responsibility in a new arena. Increased emphasis was being placed on the effects of electronic warfare, and the command was assigned a major role in developing strate- gies and new technology as well as supporting testing and training in this area. As a result of its broader electronic warfare responsi- bilities, Security Service was redesignated the Elec- tronic Security Command on August 1, 1979. Tr fay, the Electronic Security “lo:nmand has added to its other respon- sibilities a major role in helping toa develop wavs to deceive, jam, confuse, and destroy opposing command, control and communication: systems. At the same time ESC's defensive role is to assure that the enemy cannot do this to friendly forces.
bo esdquarters ESC has an all-source intelligence function and pravides elec- tronic combat (EC) support; operations security (OPSEC); communications and computer systems security; and com- munications suppart to Air Force units and unified and specified commands. This support is not only provided for exercises, but also for contingencies and real-world events. ESC units provide rapid radio relay; command, con- trol, and communications countermeasures (C7CM) sup- port; and communications and camputer systems security support to U.S. and allied forces worldwide. The command plays an important role in developing Air Force electronic warfare (EW) and CCM capabilities, techniques and systems. By providing CCM training to operational support elements during exercises, the com- mand helps prepare the Air Force team for combat opera- tions in a hostile electro- magnetic environment. To help the tactical commander satisfy the C3CM require- ments, headquarters ESC develops, maintains, updates and disseminates the c3cM support data base and an ~ all-source intelligence data base. The command also advises combat commanders of their EC options. ESC is made up of two centers, four divisions, twa wings, ten groups, 28 squadrons, and many detach- ments and operating laca- tions. Three of the divi- sions and three of the groups also serve as major command liaisons. Additional support is provided by mobile units and Air Force reservists. Closely supporting efforts of ESC field units are the Air Force Elec- tronic Warfare Center (AFEWC) and the Air Force Cryptolagic Support Center (AFCSC). Although subor- dinate to the command, both are primary managers of Air Force-wide programs. The AFEWC is a primary source of EW and C’CM analysis. Its members provide senior battle commanders with ana- lytical reports on major exercises on EW systems' effectiveness. They assist strategic and tactical carn- manders in making combat decisions and perform ana- lysis to support planning, developing, testing and using EW equipment. The AFCSC is responsible for the Air Force's Com- munications and Computer Systems Security Program, composed of communications security, emanations secu- rity (TEMPEST) and computer security. AFCSC also provides analytical and engineering services in support of these programs to Air Force acti- vities worldwide. The center also manages and accounts for cryptographic devices, codes, call signs, and documents that protect Air Force communications and computer systems; per- forms depot-level mainte- nance and life-cycle support for cryptologic equipment and systems; and develops and distributes multimedia educational materials to all Air Force organizations. Another program is the operations security mission. Early in 1982, Headquarters Air Force assigned ESC the responsibility for support- ing operations security programs of all major com- mands and strengihening the operations security educa- tion program for the entire Air Force. ESC's mobile units deploy to support major exercises such as Team Spirit, Bright Star, Cold Fire, Red Flag, Central Enterprise, Brim Frost, Green Flag and many others. During these exercises, ESC provides a hostile elec- tronic warfare environment similar to what U.S. forces would encounter in actual combat. ESC's activities include electranic disrup-
tion techniques through the use of mobile and self- cantained jamming and decep- tion vans. In addition, the command provides support to the multi-service Joint Elec- tranic Warfare Center 'IEWC), which is collocated with Headquarters ESC. ESC's commander is also the JEWC's director.
ESC people -- masters of t ma AS: ALES RT Lae v et ts alas Bie More than 13,000 people are assigned to Elec- tronic Security Command. Enlisted peaple make up 90 percent of the command, which has the highest percentage of women specialists in the Air Force.
O major aspect of ESC's mission is providing support to cther Air Force commands and sister ser- vices, ESC officers provide support to U.S. Air Force tactical and strategic com- manders. These officers are stationed at the head- quarters of Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air Com- mand, Space Command, United States Air Forces in Europe, Alaskan Air Command, Mili- tary Airlift Command and Pacific Air Forces. They are integrated into the commands they support and assist in daily operations and planning. The command is an impor- tant part of the U.S. system that provides eiectronic security for the U.S. and allied military operations worldwide. Combat elements depend heavily on ESC sup- port during exercises and real world operations. During an average year, ESC will provide support for more than 100 exercises around the world. From Alaska to Europe, the Pacific to the Middle East, the command is dedicated to helping U.S. and allied militaries do their job better. ESC experts sup- port exercises such as Red Flaq, Green Flag, Globai Shield, Bright Star, Cepe orts others In an average year, ESC supports more than 100 exercises around the world. Thunder, Bold Eagle, Display Determination and Gallant Knight. Each day an average of 165 people support exer- cises for other commands. In a year's time, between 60,000 and 70,000 work-days are devoted to assisting others train their people. When you consider ESC's many ongoing peacetime missions -- virtually iden- tical to their wartime missions, and command staffing of about 13,000 people -- this support becomes a major commitment of command resources. The Air Force currently places a high priority on training aircrews to fly and fight successfully in hostile electronic enviran- ments. To provide this training, ESC people deploy around the world to perform the role of "bad guy" in exercises sponsored by many military organizations. Acting as “bad guys," ESC people can jam trans- missions or use imitative communications deception to confuse pilots and block communications. For air- crews who have never experienced these disrup- tions and false trans- missions, the impact can be significant. Many skilled pilots have been "shot down" or sent off in the wrong direction during these exercises. Hope- fully, the experience will make them less susceptible to these problems if faced with them during actual combat. Other ESC units protect secure communica- tions to prevent the plans of friendly forces fram being stolen or disrupted by enemy forces. Special voice and data links are established which provide communications reliability and security. ESC personnel may also monitar radio and telephone communications or errant electronic emissions to determine whether infor- mation of value is being exposed. ESC's eavesdrap- pers are often able to tell exercise commander's much more abou! their plans than anyone is supposed to know. With the knowledge of where and how this information was obtained, commanders can show their people the importance of proper com- munications and computer systems security.
. ate - bee . 0 in GON HA Te, ESC people participate in Many exercises annually including Green Flag (above) and Brim Frost (right). Electronic disruption tech- niques are used in these exercises to help train aircrews. e PO Ae ME A Ree am some
= lectronic Security Command enhanced its long-range planning with the for- mation of a plans and requirements divi- sion as part of the plans deputate in November 1983. However, it was the publication of the ESC "Master Plan" in January 1985 that provided an outline for the program's development. The master plan ties ESC planning into Air Force, DOD agencies, and supported commands' programs, plans, goals and objectives. [It provides direction to all planning. The master plan will quide ESC's advancement into the 21st century. With the master plan as a baseline, ESC planners are constantly looking eight and 15 years into the future. The short-range objectives draw conclusions about what sorts of equip- ment, how many peop!e and what types of new technology we will need to accomplish our mission eight years fram now. The fifteen-year outlook deals more with abstractions and projected technologies. It realizes we have a shrinking manpower pool and explores methods of doing more with less. This portion of the plan must be very flexible. Identifying trends is an important factor in maintaining flexibility. This is why there is an ongoing program to recognize movements or charges in factors affecting ESC, including technology, eco- nomics, politics, society and operational doctrines. One result cf the ESC master plan is an ever-expanding series of strategy papers, covering everything from specific systems to innovation. Officials expect the biggest payoff in the fiela of inno- vation. ESC is fostering a climate of innova- tive thinking -- making it easier for people to be innovative. ESC's Innovation Center and Long Range Innovation Team serve as a clearing house of ideas and suggestions from the field. The team is also responsible for evaluating ESC's innovation suggestion program, which is aimed at minimizing bureaucracy and allowing ideas to be put to work with- out lengthy justification or fear of failure. As technology and rushing advance- ment into the era of space continue to challenge the world, ESC will be in a position to respond in a timely fashion -- thanks to the framework for change provided by long-range planning.