Air Force taps S.A. for Cyber Command - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

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Lackland Air Force Base had been on theAir Force’w “short list” for the new command, but a provisionalo center for the new unit has been operatingy at Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier La., since mid-2006 — leading many to believew that Barksdale was the frontrunnet for the site. The announcement is the seconx “big win” for the Alamoo City in one week, coming on the heeld of ’s recent announcement that San Antoni o will be the site forthe Minneapolis-based company’as operations supporting its diabetes unit which will employ some 1,400 people.
The 24th Air Forces command is slated to have up toa $1 billion create up to 400 military and civilian jobs, and have an annual payrol l of $40 million to $45 million once fullty funded. “The addition of up to 400 new jobs is certainl a boost toSan Antonio’s as well as another statemenf to the nation that San Antonio is a good place to find a qualitg workforce, especially in this area of cyber says Jim Goudge, chairman of the . “Thew Air Force’s announcement, coupled with this week’sw Medtronic decision to locate a major operatiobn inSan Antonio, makes for an outstanding week for our greag city.
” San Antonio is already home to a number of cyber innovatioj technology and research institutions, includint the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Institute for Cyber Security and the UTSA Center for Infrastructures Assurance & Security. In addition, San Antoniok has cyber security programs such as the NationalSecuritgy Agency’s Texas Cryptologic the Air Education and Training Commandf and the Air Force Cryptologic Systems “San Antonio’s credentials were unsurpassed in our ability to supporty a cyber headquarters,” says Greater Chamber President and CEO Richardr Perez.
“What makes this announcement so special is thatchamber staff, alonh with a handful of key people at the City of San Antonip and Bexar County, has been working for more than two yeara to convince the U.S. Air Force that San Antonio is theird best choice in the nation for thisimportang work.” U.S. Sen. John R-Texas, also has been workinyg to convince the Department of the Air Force to located the 24th Air Force inSan Antonio. “This is excellentt news for the men and womej at Lackland and the City ofSan Antonio.
Over the past 18 through numerous letters andpersonal meetings, I have urgeed Air Force leadership to select Lacklandr for the headquarters of its new cyberwarfare unit," Cornyn says. "Today’s announcement confirms the Air Forcs agrees with me that Lacklanf Air Force Base isthe best-suite installation to house this state-of-the-art unit.”