The Air Force Cyber Command (AFCYBER) is a provisional unit that was being developed to take on the challenge of finding ways to use and safeguard Internet infrastructure during military conflicts. AFCYBER was announced in 2006 and the unit, after some delays, was expected to stand up in October of this year. That launch has now been put on hold while the Air Force's new leadership reviews the plans. Some analysts speculate that the program may be embroiled in a dispute over which branch of the military should have authority over cyberspace.

Some recent incidents of Internet espionage and electronic warfare illustrate the significant role that technology could play in future conflicts. Last year, we wrote about hackers infiltrating Pentagon e-mail and executing coordinated attacks against government-run laboratories in the United States that conduct national security research. The attacks are becoming more sophisticated, and the federal government has been slow to improve the security of its technological infrastructure.

There is also evidence that major world powers, particularly China and Russia, have already experimented with techniques for using hacking and denial of service attacks as offensive weapons. China was accused of orchestrating a chain of five separate attacks last year and hackers in Russia have been accused of using technology against Estonia and Georgia. It remains unclear whether these attacks were conducted with government backing.

There is a clear need to build an understanding of the technical capabilities possessed by foreign powers and rogue groups. AFCYBER was gearing up to investigate a wide range of technologies, including potential tactical uses of botnets. The command was operating under provisional status through the Air Force Network Operations Center, pending its full launch and a final decision about where it will be based. Suspension of the program raises serious questions about whether the military plans to move forward with the launch.

NextGov revealed today that the Air Force has delayed roll-out until the command's structure and objectives can be reviewed by the new Air Force chief of staff, General Norton A. Schwartz, who was sworn in yesterday. NextGov says that the high visibility of AFCYBER, which was achieved through video advertisements, attracted the attention of high-ranking military brass who want the Navy to take a more prominent role in the effort.

The government has repeatedly touted AFCYBER as an important strategic investment in future cyber warfare, so it seems unlikely that they intend to completely walk away from the concept. The real question now is how the military plans to structure its future web warrior command and which branch will be given the authority to direct its efforts and define its mission.