Air Force intel and cyber organization gets new commander

Maj. Gen. Timothy Haugh assumed command of 25th Air Force during a change of command ceremony Aug. 29, the Air Force said in a release.

Haugh comes to 25th Air Force, which is responsible for global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, after multiple assignments at U.S. Cyber Command.

Most recently, Haugh was the commander of the Cyber National Mission Force, which is responsible for defending the nation against cyber threats by targeting actors in neutral and hostile cyberspace. His replacement there is Army Brig. Gen. William Hartman.

Haugh also served as the director for intelligence at Cyber Command and as the deputy commander of Joint Task Force Ares, the cyber offensive against ISIS.

Haugh is taking over for outgoing 25th commander Maj. Gen. Mary O’Brien, who was confirmed for her third star and to be the the deputy chief of staff for ISR and cyber effects.

Haugh assumes command of 25th Air Force at a time when the service will soon be merging it with 24th Air Force to become the first information warfare numbered Air Force.

Officials have told Fifth Domain that the merger is likely to occur sometime in the fall. Earlier this year, top officials said they expected the merger to occur over the summer.

A commander has yet to be named for the new numbered Air Force, which will be responsible for cyber information operations, influence operations, electronic warfare, military deception, military information support operations and psychological operations.

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The 24th Air Force’s commander will also be leaving that post, though no replacement has immediately been named.

During the change of command ceremony, Haugh stressed the need to stay ahead of top geopolitical competitors.

“We are engaged in power competition with adversaries in all domains today; intelligence is the fuel that commanders require to maneuver in response. The nation expects our enterprise to be global and agile; integrated into daily combat and reconnaissance operations, and capable of quickly maneuvering capabilities to focus on emerging threats,” he said.

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