Information Warfighter
Q& A
Seeking Highest Value Technology to Leverage Combat Power
Lieutenant General William T. Lord Chief of Warfighting Integration Chief Information Officer Air Force Lieutenant General William T. Lord is the chief of war fighting integration and chief information officer, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, where he leads five directorates and two field operating agencies consisting of more than 1,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel supporting a portfolio valued at $17 billion. He integrates Air Force war fighting and mission support capabilities by networking space, air and terrestrial assets. Additionally, he shapes doctrine, strategy, and policy for all communications and information activities while driving standards and governance, innovation, and architectures for information systems and personnel. A 1977 graduate of the Air Force Academy, Lord holds a bachelor’s degree in biological and life sciences, and master’s degrees in business administration and national resource strategy. He held various duties with tours in Europe, U.S. Central Command and the White House, and has commanded at the detachment, squadron, group, wing, major command and joint levels. Prior to his current position, Lord was commander, Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional), Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Lord was interviewed by MIT Editor Harrison Donnelly. Q: First can you please explain the structure of your organization and what its primary functions are? A: The Air Force Chief of Staff set up the Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer [SAF/XC] in 2005. The office consolidated all Air Force information technology organizations under a single umbrella by combining the former deputy chief of staff war fighting integration [AF/XI], Air Force chief information officer [AF-CIO], and Directorate of Communications [AF/ILC]. The consolidation brought the strengths of each previous organization together. In addition to those roles, SAF/XC also has responsibility for AF/A6 [communications and information] on the Air Staff. As the chief of war fighting integration, I am responsible for developing, implementing and enforcing Air Force strategy and policy that enables delivery of integrated war fighting combat support capabilities to the joint warfighter. The Clinger-Cohen Act of 1986, which mandated the position of CIO for all executive branch agencies in the federal government, created SAF/XC’s chief information officer role. In this role I am responsible for the development of Air Force IT www.MIT-kmi.com
policies, guidance, architectures and standards. The CIO also oversees the Air Force IT budget and ensures all Air Force IT systems are certified and accredited in accordance with law and DoD guidelines. As AF/A6 I provide the chief of staff with independent advice on communications matters across the Air Force and most importantly, I am responsible for communication and information [C&I] force development. Q: As you assume your new position, what do you see as the most pressing issues facing the Air Force in terms of information technology and war fighting integration? A: Resources. We are in an environment where competition for resources—money and personnel—are very dynamic. As we look at how to support today’s fight and modernize, we look for the highest value technology to leverage our combat power. That will mean we’ll watch the trade space between various systems, business and combat, to ensure highest bang for buck. Q: Based on your recent experience as head of Air Force Cyber Command (P), how would you evaluate the cyberthreat facing the Air Force, and what will your first steps be to address it in your new job? MIT 13.7 | 25