Air Force Network Integration Center The Air Force Network Integration Center ( AFNIC ) , located at Scott Air Force Base , Illinois , is the United States Air Force ' s only organization for Air Force Network integration , cyber simulation , and network standards , architecture and engineering services . Through these specialized technical services , AFNIC supports the nation ' s warfighters with decisive cyber capabilities for mission success . The center , a direct reporting unit to Air Force Space Command is the focal point for integrating mission systems , business systems , commercial information technology products and other networks into the Air Force Network ( AFNet ) . AFNIC ' s strategic - level network integration , architecture / standards , engineering and simulation services enable major commands , functional communities , and program offices to successfully and efficiently design , develop and deploy " networthy " capabilities for the Air Force . As part of its integration mission , AFNIC also leads the Air Force ' s # 1 cyber priority , Air Force Network Migration . This project consolidates the service ' s previous collection of standalone , unit - specific architectures into a single , centrally managed enterprise network that enhances security , reduces costs and improves standardization . Mission . AFNIC empowers Airmen with decisive and assured cyberspace capabilities by providing highly innovative network architecture , engineering , integration and simulation services with unrivaled expertise , experience and commitment . Vision . Unleashing the power of cyberspace Major Services . Air Force Network Integration : AFNIC guides customers through all stages of product development , leading to optimally performing capabilities primed for smooth integration onto the Air Force Network . As part of this process , a robust , holistic assessment of security , interoperability , supportability , sustainability , usability , policy compliance , and network usage is conducted . These Networthiness criteria are evaluated and validated during analysis and end - to - end testing , allowing for issues to be identified and resolved early which improves security and interoperability , facilitates reciprocity , and reduces the time needed for cross - component fielding of information technology . Cyber Simulation : AFNIC provides simulator - based education , training , crew certification and exercise capabilities to develop cyber warriors ' skills in protection and defense of the Air Force Network . The center also maintains a comprehensive suite of network analysis capabilities that provide the communications architecture , modeling , simulation , and analysis necessary for AFNet integration requirements . Network Standards , Architectures and Engineering : AFNIC ' s network experts design and document future Air Force Network architecture plans which serve as a blueprint to standardize network capabilities and integrate them onto the AFNet . AFNIC engineers provide technical expertise to integrate ground , air and space networks as well as produce AFNet compliant network designs . People . Approximately 475 military , civilian and contractor cyber professionals are assigned to perform the AFNIC mission . Organization . AFNIC is composed of five directorates : Network Architecture ( NA ) : Designs and documents future AFNet infrastructure plans and standardizes network service capabilities . When a new system needs to be integrated onto the AFNet , NA reviews the system ' s architecture to identify and , if necessary , resolves any integration or compatibility issues between the programs and the network . Network Engineering ( NE ) : Provides technical network consulting to all Air Force organizations to help them properly connect their systems and products to the AFNet . Network Validation ( NV ) : Validates program performance against representative physical and simulated AFNet environments to assure network security , increase interoperability with the network , and maximize program functionality . NV also leverages AFNIC ' s advanced simulation capabilities to support cyber training and exercises . Networthiness ( NW ) : Leads the Networthiness assessment of all systems , applications and devices for effective integration onto the AFNet . Plans and Programs ( XP ) : Leads all operational , concept , functional and strategic support functions relating to local and enterprise strategic and integration planning . History . The AFNIC has a long and proud lineage , and now serves as the sixth generation AF central communications and information organization . AFNIC traces its history back to the Army Airways Communications System ( AACS ) , which was organized on November 15 , 1938 in the Directorate of Communications of the U . S . Army Air Corps . The official lineage of the AACS as a separate unit , began on April 13 , 1943 with the constitution of the AACS Wing . The wing was soon reassigned directly to HQ Army Air Forces , on July 14 , 1943 . Major command status was reached with the addition of Headquarters ( HQ ) to the AACS name on April 26 , 1944 . On March 13 , 1946 , AACS was redesignated Air Communications Service ( ACS ) and reassigned to the Air Transport Command . The ACS was then redesignated the Airways and Air Communications Service ( AACS ) on September 11 , 1946 , and subsequently reassigned to the Military Air Transport Service on June 1 , 1948 . Airways and Air Communications Service became an Air Force major command again on July 1 , 1961 , and was simultaneously redesignated Air Force Communications Service ( AFCS ) . AFCS was redesignated Air Force Communications Command ( AFCC ) on November 15 , 1979 . AFCC became a field operating agency on July 1 , 1991 , reporting to Headquarters United States Air Force . Around this time , it lost all the communications units that had been gathered under it for many years . These units went to the groups or wings they had worked for . It was redesignated Air Force Command , Control , Communications , and Computer Agency ( AFC4A ) on May 28 , 1993 ; AFC4A was redesignated the Air Force Communications Agency ( AFCA ) on June 13 , 1996 and on April 1 , 1997 was assigned to the Air Force Communications and Information Center . AFCA was reassigned to HQ United States Air Force on October 1 , 2000 . AFCA was reassigned to HQ Air Force Space Command , the Air Force ' s designated lead for cyber , on May 4 , 2009 , and redesignated the Air Force Network Integration Center on July 15 , 2009 . AFNIC works closely with Twenty - Fourth Air Force on cyber issues . In 2012 it was announced that AFNIC would be restructured , divesting some of its cyber mission to Air Force Space Command . Current organize , train and equip staff functions within AFNIC , such as records , forms , publications , cyber training programs , cyber requirements support , plans , and maintenance policy , transferred to the AFSPC Cyberspace Support Squadron ( CYSS ) , which stood up at Scott AFB . Other functions transferred to the new 92d Information Operations Squadron and 38th Cyberspace Readiness Squadron . Decorations and Awards . Air Force Organizational Excellence Award s : 1 Jul 1984 - 30 Jun 1986 ; 1 Jul 1986 - 30 Jun 1988 ; 1 Jul 1988 - 30 Jun 1990 ; 1 Jul 1990 - 30 Jun 1992 ; 1 Jul 1992 - 30 Jun 1994 ; 1 Jul 1994 - 30 Jun 1996 ; 1 Apr 1997 - 30 Apr 1998 ; 1 Oct 2000 - 31 Mar 2002 ; 30 Apr 2002 - 30 Sep 2003 ; 1 Oct 2003 - 30 Sep 2004 ; 10 May 2005 - 30 Sep 2006 ; 1 Oct 2006 - 30 Sep 2008 . External links .