Gunslingers of 67th Network Warfare Wing prepare for showdown

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrick Campbell
  • 67th Network Warfare Wing
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The lead Gunslinger to represent the 67th Network Warfare Wing in the showdown with all of Air Force Space Command will be selected in a commander's call March 19, as the wing prepares for its inaugural performance in the Space Command Guardian Challenge competition.

The Gunslinger is the chosen mascot of the 67th NWW, due to his ability to respond quickly to threats in his environment. The wing is a new addition to Space Command's Guardian Challenge competition and the wing commander, Col. B.J. Shwedo, said that his people are looking forward to being a part of this prestigious event.

This is the first year the 67th NWW will be competing in the Guardian Challenge, having been an Air Combat Command asset prior to the stand up of 24th Air Force under Space Command in the Fall of 2009.

The 67th NWW gunslingers will be honing their skills in network warfare operations, earning points to battle with the other wings of Space Command and earn a trip to Peterson AFB, Colo., to earn recognition from the major command leadership and their fellow cyberspace and space Airmen.

The 67th NWW Gunslinger represents the spirit and tenacity of the wing's Airmen:

· The star on the Gunslinger's chest, like the stars on the 67 NWW patch, allude to the wing's mission of network attack, exploitation (67 Network Warfare Group), defense (26 Network Operations Group), and operations on and of the net (690 Network Support Group) performed by cyberspace warriors to defeat any adversary.

· The Gunslinger's dark blue shirt, like the background on the 67 NWW patch, symbolizes the shroud of secrecy that surrounds a cyberspace adversary.

· The red scarf around the Gunslinger's neck, like the lightning bolt on the 67 NWW patch, represents the applied speed, strength, power, and precision of Air Force network warfare.

· The Gunslinger's lifelong mission has always been and always will be to deny adversaries the use of cyberspace while maximizing our own use of the net; LUX EX TENEBRIS (Light from Darkness).

"The Gunslingers of the 67th have been known world-wide for 'doing bad things to bad people,' and now they are looking forward to showing off their skills at Guardian Challenge," said Colonel Shwedo.