Air Force Colonel Discusses Strategic Competition

The chapter welcomed guest speaker, Col. Aaron Drake, USAF, to the chapter's monthly luncheon. This was the first in-person event for 2022. Col. Drake is currently the special assistant to the commander, 16th Air Force. He serves as host and executive agent for select Defense Department mission systems, including six data centers, associated real property, and infrastructure, while managing a combined annual budget. "We are four to five years into a massive transition from a counterterrorism-dominated defense strategy to a very necessary refocus on strategic competition." Col. Drake explained how, in refocusing on strategy, there is a pressing need to also re-examine operational concepts within the cyber domain, normalizing the digital integration as a pre-condition and the recognition of the space domain as a warfighting domain with its own set of distinctions and risks. To be successful, the Air Force is looking to move to better systems capable of a high-end fight, but that can also fit into joint deployment concepts. "They have to be rapidly adaptable."

With the current crisis in the Ukraine, now is the time to demonstrate specific outcomes within the cyber intelligence and information warfare. The accuracy of intelligence that the United States has been able to share with our partners has enabled positive and impactful outcomes. Through vital partnerships, the Defense Department has been able to identify and expose some of the social media being used for Russian propaganda. News stations are reporting with the capability to rapidly identify disinformation. "We have really come a long way."

Leadership counts. Col. Drake commended the spirit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and how he rallied his military and the people of Ukraine. President Zelenskyy has challenged the world to support the Ukraine. "The importance of effective leadership is being well-rounded, building trust and empowering your people to take action."

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