Cybersecurity forces in Texas showcase global dominance to ACC command team

Published Feb. 12, 2026
By Manuel Garcia

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- The 688th Cyberspace Wing and three other 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) units welcomed Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command and Chief Master Sgt. Jeremy Unterseher, ACC command chief, to its headquarters, Feb. 5.

Spain began a three-day tour of cybersecurity forces in Texas Feb. 4, with a visit to the 67th Cyberspace Wing, led by Col. John W. Picklesimer where he highlighted the full array of cyber combat power available to his wing. Briefings from both the 67th and 318th Cyberspace Operations Groups underscored the wing's offensive capabilities and showcased the advanced training facilities essential for shaping skilled cyber warriors.

“It is reassuring knowing that as cyber threats evolve our Airmen are at the forefront of safeguarding military assets and bolstering cybersecurity." said Spain.

On the second day of the visit Col. Joshua Evans, 688th deputy commander, walked Spain through 688th CW’s defensive cyber operations and critical intelligence across the expansive Air Force Information Network. Spain was briefed on the mission of the 33rd Cyber Operations Squadron, which plays a key role in monitoring and protecting both Air Force and Central Command networks.

“Our Airmen are highly trained and are the best at navigating the challenges of the new digital environment,” said Evans “they are truly our most valuable asset.”

Last August, when taking command of ACC, Spain emphasized the need to focus on controllable improvements for continuous progress which involved preparing for new technologies and capabilities for seamless integration into joint operations while defending bases and enhancing agilities in combat scenarios.

The 688th and 67th units have been instrumental in safeguarding U.S. military operations and protecting national interests in an increasingly digital landscape. Their effective cyber defense measures have been critical in upholding the integrity and security of national defense operations.

“Without our cyberspace wings, our country would be more exposed to vulnerabilities in our increasingly digital world,” said Spain. “Their absence would hinder our cyber operations and diminish our global strategic influence, but rest assured, our highly trained Airmen are in the fight.”

Evans provided Spain walk-around tours of both the 33rd COS and the Air Force Mission Assurance Center operations floors, explaining AMAC’s role in cybersecurity.
Prior to departing, Spain coined Senior Airman Skyler Gomez of the 33rd COS and Master Sgt. Kevin Murphy of the 690th COS, for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the mission. Chief Master Sgt. Unterseher coined Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Brooks, of the 690th Intelligence Support Squadron for his technical mastery configuring network devices.

The 688th CW, is headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and is aligned under Sixteenth Air Force, Air Combat Command. The wing is the Air Force's premier cyberspace warfighting organization dedicated to delivering actionable intelligence and tactics, techniques, and procedures, deployable warfighter communications, engineering and installation capabilities, defensive cyber operations, and network security across the Department of the Air Force Information Network enterprise.

The 67th CW, is also headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and aligned under Sixteenth Air Force, Air Combat Command. The wing presents combat cyberspace capabilities to the Service, United States Cyber Command, and the Joint Forces. In this capacity, the wing acts as the Air Forces Cyber execution arm for conducting global cyberspace operations. Additionally, the wing provides organic operations training, cyber capability development, operational testing, and range capabilities to drive readiness across the Cyber Mission Force.