1990s

1990 - On 15 March 1990, the SENIOR SCOUT system was handed over to ESC. Then at 0737 hours on 16 March 1990, a new era of ESC airborne operations began when SENIOR SCOUT departed for Panama on its first operational deployment. On 17 May 1990, the Civilian Drug Testing Program officially started in ESC with the testing of five volunteers. On 25 May 1990, the 6903 ESG and Detachment 2, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, flew U-2R Olympic Game mission sortie number 5,000. On 1 July 1990, Mr. Dennis B. Richburg replaced Mr. Gordon W. Sommers as the advisor to the ESC commander. He later became the organization’s Technical Director. Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2 August 1990 and President George Bush mobilized U.S. military forces for deployment to the Persian Gulf under Operation DESERT SHIELD. On 9 August 1990, the 6916 ESS arrived in Saudi Arabia with two RIVET JOINT aircraft and two backend crews to participate in Operation DESERT SHIELD.

On 11 August 1990, Colonel William C. Bender arrived in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, to serve as ESC’s first Task Force Director for DESERT SHIELD. On 11 August 1990, the 6948 ESS arrived in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, to participate in Operation DESERT SHIELD. On 1 October 1990, the Headquarters 2100th Communications Group (CG) was relieved from assignment to the Air Force Communications Command (AFCC) and assigned to ESC as a result of the transfer of Critical Intelligence Communication (CRITICOMM) operations and maintenance (O&M) from AFCC to ESC.

The U-2 operations against Cuba from the 6947 ESS, Key West NAS, Fla, and OL BA, 6947 ESS, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla, ended on 1 November 1990, with the last mission flown on 31 October 1990. On 10 November 1990, the 6975th Electronic Security Squadron, Provisional, was designated, activated, and organized at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On 13 March 1991, the command ended over 17 years of operations at Augsburg, Germany, with the inactivation of the 6913 ESS. During its history, the unit provided rapid radio relay, secure communications and command, control and communications countermeasures support to U.S. and allied forces. On 31 March 1991, the 6913 ESS at Augsburg Germany, was inactivated. On 25 April 1991, the 6919 ESS flew its last operational mission, closing out another chapter in the proud history of ESC airborne operations. The 6919 ESS was inactivated on 21 May 1991 at Sembach AB, Germany.

The last COMFY LEVI system was decommissioned on 1 July 1991. Major Generals James R. Clapper, Jr., AF/IN, and Gary W. O’Shaughnessy, ESC/CC, briefed Secretary of the Air Force Donald Rice on 16 July 1991 concerning the proposed Air Force Intelligence Command (AFIC) structure and implementation plans/time lines. The Secretary was pleased with the planning actions and structure and gave his approval to go-ahead with the formation of AFIC with a 1 October 1991 effective date. On 23 August 1991, ESC accepted the SENIOR TROUPE system as an operational asset and assigned it to the 6948 ESS for operation and support. On 19 September 1991, a formal retreat and closure ceremony was conducted at Berlin’s Marienfelde, Germany, site, and keys to the site were turned over to the host air base group commander. The formal closure of Marienfelde came after 26 years of existence as one of the premier operations of the Command. Electronic Security Command was redesignated the Air Force Intelligence Command on 1 October 1991. On 1 October 1991 the Deputy Chief of Staff/ Operations, Collection Operations Division established a counter-drug operation function. The function was responsible for policy execution, and oversight A proud chapter in USAFSS and ESC history was closed out 13 November 1990 with the deactivation of the 6916 ESS at Hellikon AB, Greece. For almost 34 years, the men and women of the 6916 ESS flew in the Baltic and Black Seas, the deserts of Sudan and Egypt, the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, and the Persian Gulf. Operations from this location provided support during every momentous turn of history in the volatile Mediterranean—the 1967 and 1973 Arab- Israeli wars, Beirut, Gulf of Sidra, TWA Flight 847 hijacking, Achille Lauro, ELDORADO CANYON–and it was the first ESC unit in Saudia Arabia. 1991 1991 In February 1991, ESC became the first command in the Air Force, and within the intelligence community, to implement a standard set of computer security application programs designed specifically for the Computer Security Officer (CSO). On 1 March 1991, the Mediterranean RC-135 missions, historically flown from Hellenikon AB, began flying from NAS Souda Bay, Greece. ESC activated OL-RS, 6931 ESS at Souda Bay for this purpose. On 13 March 1991, a chapter of ESC history was closed with the inactivation of OL RH, 6988 ESS, thus ending the USAF Security Service/ ESC presence at Hellenikon AB, Greece, which began on 1 December 1968, and marking an end to ESC airborne activities in that country. August 1990--members of the 6948th ESS deploy to Saudi Arabia in support of Desert Shield. Mr. Dennis B. Richburg became advisor to the ESC commander on 1 July 1990. On 18 June, the 6949th Electronic Security Squadron accepted operational control of the COBRA BALL and COBRA EYE programs. On 1 July, Headquarters, 690th Electronic Security Group was inactivated at Templelhof Central Airport, Germany. On 1 August, the 6917th Electronic Security Group at San Vito, Italy, was inactivated. On 17 August, AFIC supported TASKFORCE Russia, a Department of the Army effort in support of a U.S./Russian Joint Commission on POW/MIAs. On 27 August, the 600th Electronic Security Squadron was activated at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, to support the Contingency Airborne Reconnaissance System (CARS). 1993 1993 On 26 January, the Communications, Computer Systems Requirements Processing Working Group was renamed Command, Control, Communications and Computer (C4) Group. On 22 February, the AFIC commander announced the end to compliance - oriented IG inspections and introduced Quality Force Assessment. On 15 March, the Secretary of Defense directed the Services to consolidate their intelligence commands/ agencies into a single intelligence element within each service. On 17 May, General Merrill A. McPeak officiated as Major General Kenneth A. Minihan assumed command of AFIC. management of collection activities associated with the “war on drugs.” On 15 December 1991, the 6922 Electronic Security Squadron at Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, was inactivated. On 24 January, General Merrill McPeak, Air Force Chief of Staff, announced the final phase in implementing the objective wing organization structure. On 20 February, Major General O’Shaughnessy selected “PRISM” to replace “COMFY” as the first word of the Command’s nickname. On 13 April, AFIC held its first Communications Computer Architecture Workshop. Representatives from across the Air Force attended. On 20 April, the Secretary of the Air Force delegated AFIC the authority to disclose information on the characteristics and performance of key Russian and Chinese aerodynamic weapons and related systems. On 1 June, AFIC created the Architecture and Integration Division to develop a communications-computer systems architecture for the command. On 8 June, AFIC inactivated the 6985 ESS after more than 30 years of providing critical intelligence support to tactical and national customers. The unit stood on the leading edge of new roles in intelligence through the BURNING WIND, COBRA BALL, and COBRA EYE missions and they left a legacy of advancing technology as a means to accomplish the AFIC mission. According to Major General O’Shaughnessy, “The end of the cold war is a victory in which every military member can take pride, but the men and women of the 6985 ESS should take a special pride in the key role they played in achieving this victory.” Major General Gary W. O’Shaughnessy accepts the new Air Force Intelligence Command guidon from Air Force chief of staff General Merrill A. McPeak during activation ceremonies at Kelly, Air Force Base, Texas on 17 October 1991. Then Major General Kenneth A. Minihan served as the first commander of the Air Intelligence Agency. On 1 June, Major General Gary W. O’Shaughnessy retired from the Air Force. 1 August 1993, AIA formed the Tactical Information Broadcast Service (TIBS) Special Management office with management responsibility for all DoD. On 10 September 1993, HQ Air Force Electronic Warfare Center was redesignated HQ Air Force Information Warfare Center. On 1 October 1993 AFIC was redesignated the Air Intelligence Agency, a field operating agency, under the Air Force Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence. On 1 October 1993, Major General Kenneth A. Minihan became the first AIA Commander. On 1 October 1993, The 67th Intelligence Wing was activated at Kelly Air Force, Texas. On 20 December 1993, the Operations Support Central, AIA’s single point of contact for time sensitive intelligence, officially opened. ESC personnel from several units began supporting Desert Shield Operations in early August 1990. An RC-135 RIVET JOINT refuels over Saudi Arabia. ESC provided invaluable support on the ground and in the air during Operation Desert Storm. 1994 1994 On 1 April, Headquarters 696th Intelligence Group inactivated at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. On 1 June, Headquarters Air Intelligence Agency accepted responsibility for COBRA DANE from the Air Force Space Command. On 30 June, Headquarters 26th Intelligence Wing inactivated at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. On 1 July, The Air Force Cryptologic Office (AFCO) stood up at Fort George G. Meade, Md. On 1 September, the Air Intelligence Agency’s Information Services Flight and Management Engineering Flight and the Intelligence Combat Operations Staff inactivated at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. On 15 September, the Joint Electronic Warfare Center was redesignated as the Joint Command and Control Warfare Center. On 30 September 1994, Vigilance Memorial Park, in front of HQ AIA, featuring a static EC-47 aircraft was dedicated. On 10 October 1994, the Air Force Cryptologic Support Center inactivated at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas. On 3 October 1994, Brigadier General John P. Casciano assumed command of AIA from Major General Kenneth A. Minihan. On 15 November 1994, the 39th Intelligence Squadron activated at Nellis Air Force Base, Calif. On 30 November, 1994, the 48th Intelligence Squadron activated at Beale Air Force Base, Calif. Members of AFIC’s 6990th ESS, Kadena, Air Base, Japan, pose with an RC-135 Rivet Joint Aircraft--summer 1992. 1995 1995 On 23 February 1995, the 68th Intelligence Squadron at Brooks Air Force Base celebrated its 46th anniversary. It is the oldest unit at Brooks and one of the original four units in the Air Intelligence Agency. On 23 February 1995, members of the 6975th Intelligence Squadron completed their 1000th Rivet Joint mission in 54 months in support of Operations Desert Shield/Storm and Southern Watch. On 30 Mar 1995 after approximately 18 months of operation, the 67th Intelligence Wing quickly became the first and only truly worldwide Air Force intelligence organization. On 27 April 1995, Staff Sergeant Beth Yandow became the first female RC-135 Rivet Joint crew member to qualify as an airborne mission supervisor. On 23 June 1995, Brigadier General John Casciano was promoted to Major General in ceremonies at HQ AIA. On 30 August 1995, the 315th Training Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, announced major alterations in intelligence officer training courses. More unit specific training and officer/enlisted interaction formed key elements in the change. Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Sheila Widnall visited the Air Intelligence Agency and the Information Warfare Center on 22-23 September 1995 for mission briefings and current overview of the Agency’s mission. She stressed the importance of exploiting the information domain. On 29 September 1995, the Air Intelligence Agency held a special remembrance ceremony on Security Hill to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in carrying out their unit’s missions. On 11 October 1995, elements of the Contingency Airborne Reconnaissance System completed their first year of support to Joint Task Force Southwest Asia. 1996 1996 Major General John P. Casciano relinquished command of the Air Intelligence Agency on 5 January 1996 to become the Air Force’s Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence. On 5 January 1996, Brigadier General Michael V. Hayden assumed command of the Air Intelligence Agency. On 28 March 1996, Brigadier General Hayden pinned on his second star in ceremonies at Headquarters Air Intelligence Agency. In March 1996, Headquarters Air Intelligence Agency learned it had earned its fourth Air Force Organizational Excellence Award for exceptionally meritorious service from 1 October 1993 to 30 September 1995 for orchestrating the largest restructure of Air Force intelligence since 1947. Ground breaking ceremonies were held on 25 June 1996 for the new 67th Intelligence Wing Headquarters building. The estimated completion date for the structure is 1998. On 30 June 1996, the 23rd Intelligence Squadron inactivated at Key West Naval Air Station, Fla. Major General John P. Casciano assumed command of AIA on 3 October, 1994. The Contingency Airborne Reconnaissance System of AIA’s 10th Intelligence Squadron beside a U-2 on the Langley Air Base flightline-- 1995. The 33rd Intelligence Squadron, Howard Air Force Base, Panama inactivated on 30 June 1996. The average age of the enlisted is 31.4 years and 39.8 years for the officer force. As of 30 September 1996, the annual economic impact of the Air Intelligence Agency in the San Antonio area exceeded $224 million. During exercise Blue Flag 91-1 held at the USAF Battlestaff Training School at Hurlburt, Field, Florida, in December 1996, more than 800 people participated including 50 technicians from AIA. They comprised the information warfare support team and introduced for the first time Measurement and Signatures Intelligence to the exercise. 1997 1997 On 2 January 1997 AIA commander Major General Michael V. Hayden announced the implementation of “Global Engagement,” the new direction for Air Force operations introduced earlier by Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Sheila Widnall. Under this program the Air Force would pursue six core competencies. AIA would be responsible for the information superiority core competency. On 15 January, Major General Hayden described the vision of his command becoming the air force leader in integrating and conducting information operations. In this vision AIA will be a full service agency focused on the complete gamut of informations operations, (gain, exploit, attack and defend (GEDA)). More than 50 AIA personnel supported Coalition/Green Flag 97-3 conducted during February and March 1997 at Nellis AFB, Nev. AIA supported RC-135 Rivet Joint and EC-130 Compass Call operations, conducted an Electronic Systems Security Assessment and performed other vital information operations functions. AIA participation tested successfully the Agency’s ability to embed with the air campaign planning element and function as part of an integrated team at the operational level of war. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen visited AIA Headquarters on 27 February 1997, to receive briefings and orientation on information warfare and the new Information Warfare Battlelab. On 10 March 1999, Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Riley, AIA’s chief of Plans and Requirements, announced that AIA was revitalizing its organizational structures to meet the needs the Agency would face in 2010. Colonel Alan Thomas, in ceremonies at Lackland Air Force Base’s Medina Annex, activated the 543rd Intelligence Major General (later Lieutenant General) Michael V. Hayden took over as AIA commander on 5 January 1996. AIA personnel work closely with Air Force Speical Operations Command serving as Direct Support Operators aboard several aircraft, including the MH-53J Pave Low III. Intelligence collection operators at work at the Medina Regional SIGINT Operations Center (MRSOC), hosted by AIA’s 93rd Intelligence Squadron. Group on 14 March 1997. The new group would provide command and control and computer and logistics support for the MRSOC. Colonel Thomas noted the activation of the 543rd was a significant step toward the creation of America’s first Information Operations Wing. Air Force Chief of Staff General Ronald Fogleman opened the Air Force’s Information Warfare Battlelab on Security Hill at Kelly AFB on 17 March 1997, thus christening the beginning of a new era in IW operations. On 31 March 1997, Major General Hayden explained that AIA was rapidly becoming the Air Force leader in integrating and conducting information operations and would be embedding AIA personnel into the organizations of operations customers such as Air Mobility Command, Air Force Material Command, Air Combat Command’s 12th Air Force and others. Airman 2nd Class Archie Bourg, killed more than 38 years earlier, was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on 2 April 1997. Bourg was one of 17 US crew members who lost their lives when their C-130 reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by Soviet MiG-17 jet fighters over Armenia on September 2, 1958. On 28-29 April 1997, Air Force commanders from the United States and 13 North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries visited the Air Intelligence Agency in San Antonio. They learned about information superiority during their stay at AIA. On 17 June 1997, the 22nd Intelligence Squadron, Fort Meade, Md., with service dating back to the United States Air Service of World War I celebrated its 80th anniversary in ceremonies conducted in part by retired Lieutenant General James R. Clapper, former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Colonel Gary Harvey assumed command of the 67th Intelligence Wing at Kelly Air Force Base on 26 August 1997. During 4-6 September 1997, the 390th Intelligence Squadron Kadena Air Base, Japan, commemorated 30 years of airborne combat intelligence operations in the Pacific Theater. The unit’s first mission focused on direct support of RC-135 Combat Apple operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. By the mid-1990s, Communications Security Monitoring gaveway to full-fledged multi-mode Electronic Security Systems Assessments (ESSA) operations. A member of AIA’s 68th Intelligence Squadron, Brooks, AFB, TX conducts ESSA operations--circa 1994.from Al Kharj Air Base, and receive all communications support from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On 30 January 1998, Brig. Gen. James Miller explained that as a result of AIA’s participation in Blue Flag 98-1, tactics analysis, previously only evident in after action reports, took place during the course of the exercise. Blue Flag 98-1 proved the value of information operations to air operations. In this exercise AIA arranged to bring in live Tactical Information Broadcast Service feeds and associated analysts. Participants expressed amazement at the amount of information available from TIBS. The effort to embed AIA information operators in numbered air forces was proved during Blue Flag 98-1. On 31 January 1998, the first SENSOR GUARD prototype was shipped from AIA to the Air Force Material Command’s Electronic Systems Center (ESC) at Hanscom, AFB Mass. The 68th Intelligence Squadron at Brooks AFB, Texas, recently became an Electronic Systems Security Analysis Central, Continental United States. The purpose of the initiative was to streamline operations and help leverage personnel reductions with technological advances. On 28 February 1998, Brigadier General Regner C. Rider, AIA vice commander explained that the Agency’s participation in Global Engagement 97 involved an exercise aimed to AIA personnel also support airborne operations on the ground. Here a member of the 488th IS, RAF Mildenhall, England, transcribes information gathered during a RIVET JOINT mission. On 5 September 1997, Major General Michael V. Hayden departed AIA to become the Deputy Chief of Staff for the United Nations Command and US Forces Korea. On 5 September 1997, Brigadier General James E. Miller Jr., assumed command of the Air Intelligence Agency/Joint Command and Control Warfare Center during ceremonies at Headquarters Air Intelligence Agency. On 10 October 1997, the US Government signed an agreement with the Republic of Moldova, a former Soviet republic, to purchase 21 MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter aircraft and associated air-to-air weapons equipment. The Moldovan MiGs soon called the National Air Intelligence Center home, after a trip from Markulesht, Air Base, Moldova to Wright- Patterson AFB Ohio by C-17. Colonel Gary Davis assumed command of the 690th Information Operations Group the Air Force’s first such organization on 20 October 1997 at Kelly AFB, Texas. On 22 December 1997, Brig. Gen. James E. Miller Jr., called for the establishment of an information operations training program for USAF personnel to be taught at Hurlburt Field, Fla. General Miller explained, “our strategic goals related to gain, exploit, defend and attack operations mandate an aggressive, Agency-wide approach to designing, developing and delivering AIA-unique training.” 1998 1998 By connecting an AT&T modem to a message system and another to a DSN line at the Medina Regional SIGINT Operations Center, Mr. Bill Band, TSgt Morgan Perkins and TSgt Tim Sheppard enabled the Air Force and the Department of Defense to save about $2.5 million a year in unnecessary charges. Because of this new communications link, brought on line in January 1998, the 4416th Intelligence Squadron was able to fly RC-135 RIVET JOINT sorties Brigadier General James E. Miller Jr., assumed command of AIA on 5 September 1997. Artist’s concept of the new 67th Intelligence Wing Headquarters Building on Security Hill at Kelly AFB. The structure was scheduled for completion in 1998. the future. AIA’s objective was to conduct warfare using anticipated technological advances that might exist in the year 2012. Sponsored by the USAF Chief of Staff, Global Engagement 97 was designed to highlight the contributions of air and space power in joint military operations in the 21st century. The exercise employed the concept of Information Conditions (INFOCONs.) On 17 March 1998, after one year of operation, the 820th Security Forces Group (SFG) claimed a busy first year. Its first real-world action came in support of Bright Star and Air Expeditionary Force V at Sheikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain. Embedded AIA assets in the 820 SFG provided threat assessments and aided in the development of the Force Protection Plan. The 316th Training Squadron at Goodfellow AFB, Texas graduated 12 students from its first Serbo-Croatian language course on 1 April 1998. The 80-day course taught common core knowledge and skills cryptologic linguists require. Also in April 1998, at the 123rd Intelligence Squadron at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas one of two Air National Guard in AIA, helped significantly in America’s drug war. The unit processed nearly 90 percent of all C-26 aerial photographs in the US for the identification of drug fields. On 1 April 1998, Det 4, 67 Intelligence Group, moved to Headquarters Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill. The detachment became the newest weapon in the Air Force information operations arsenal. Since activation in August 1997, the detachment has used information operations to exploit the vulnerabilities of adversaries while building a protective wall around AMC communications and information systems. The Contingency Airborne Reconnaissance System Deployable Ground Station-2 recently completed supporting its 400th CREEK TORCH mission. Comprised of Air Combat Command’s 13th Intelligence Squadron and AIA’s 48th IS, DGS-2 supports the European Commands’ intelligence collection requirements, and protects NATO Stabilization Forces in the Balkans. Colonel Harold Beatty assumed command of the Air Force Technical Applications Center, an administratively supported unit of AIA, in ceremonies at Patrick AFB, Florida on 15 July 1998. On 15 July 1998, Major General John Casciano, Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance on the Air Staff, joined Colonel Craig Koziol, 17th Training Group Commander, in dedicating a MiG-29 Fulcrum Static Display Aircraft at Goodfellow AFB, Texas. The United States purchased the MiG-29 from Moldova. The group also received a MiG-23 Flogger G, an SA-4 surface-to-air missile launcher with two missiles and other assorted equipment. The USAF Chief of Staff approved the first information operations doctrine AFDD. The doctrine, released on 5 August 1998, defines information operations as consisting of two pillars: information in warfare and information warfare. IIW encompasses all intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, weather, precision navigation and dissemination activities. IW encompasses the offensive and defensive aspects of psychological operations, electronic warfare, deception, destruction, and information defend and attack activities. Major General John R. Baker served as AIA commander from 17 August 1998-31 January 2000. On 17 August 1998, Brigadier General John R. Baker assumed command of the Air Intelligence Agency and Joint Command and Control Warfare Center in ceremonies at Kelly AFB. After relinquishing command of the Agency, Brig. Gen. James E. Miller retired from the Air Force after more than 29 years of service. On 17 August 1998, command responsibility for the Joint Command and Control Warfare Center transitioned to the United States Atlantic Command, Norfolk, Virginia. The JC2WC provides direct command and control warfare support to operational commanders around the world. Effective 2 October 1998, Mr. Dennis B. Richburg, AIA Technical Director, retired after a civilian and military career that spanned nearly four decades. During the month of November 1998, AIA commander Brig. Gen. John R. Baker and his wife Judy, received the General and Mrs. Jerome F. O’Malley award for their work Inside the Agency’s Information Operations Central (IOC), at Kelly AFB, TX. on-base and in the community during General Baker ’s tenure as commander of PACAF’s 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan. Mr. Dennis H. Alvey assumed duties as Executive Director of AIA in January 1999, replacing Mr. Dennis B. Richburg who retired in 1998. An Air Force Special Operations Command EC-130E Commando Solo aircraft visited Kelly AFB, and highlighted the Agency’s Psychological Operations mission. After almost 50 years of service the Technical Operations Division at McClellan AFB, Cailfornia closed its doors and inactivated effective 9 April 1999. The division, part of AIA’s Administratively supported unit, under the Air Force Technical Applications Center, had been that organizations largest unit. Mr. Robert P. Egger ended half a century of service to the United States when he retired as AIA’s Chief of Security on 10 September 1999. Mr. Dennis H. Alvey became AIA Executive Director in January 1999. On 17 September 1999, Maj. Gen. John R. Baker presided over ceremonies at AIA on national POW/MIA Recognition Day in honor of POW/MIAs whose contributions were honored and highlighted. Maj. Gen. John Baker, AIA commander, opened the AIA Heritage Center on 24 September 1999. The Heritage Center, which featured several different displays portraying the history of intelligence and the legacy of AIA, was the only facility of its type in the Air Force dedicated to the memory of Air Intelligence. In December 1999, Headquarters AIA’s Psychological Operations Division completed its second year of operations with an enlarged staff of nine, augmented by Air Force Reserve Officers and the designation as the Air Force PSYOP Center of Excellence. Major General Bruce A. Wright took over as AIA commander on 31 January 2000. He was promoted to Major General on 21 April 2000.