Released: Aug 19, 1997
KELLY AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The Air Force's newest warriors -- information operators -- moved one step closer toward achieving information superiority for America by dedicating a new $3 million building for the 67th Intelligence Wing headquarters here Aug. 14.
The state-of-the-art facility provides upgraded, worldwide communications capabilities for the wing, which has more than 8,000 people serving at 80 locations on every continent except Antarctica.
The two-story building contains nearly 20,000 square feet of space and will house more than 100 wing personnel.
The wing's mission is information operations -- gaining, exploiting and attacking an adversary's information while defending U.S. information.
The building dedication is one milestone in the wing's long history of intelligence and information operations.
"Whether it was over the coasts of Normandy during World War II, the frozen ridges of Korea, the sands of Desert Storm, or a variety of contingencies today in Africa, Bosnia, southwest Asia or in the Pacific, the 67th has always met the challenge," said Maj. Gen. John P. Casciano, director of Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
"In fact, the rapidly evolving nature of technology and warfare today places the 67th Intelligence Wing on the cutting edge of information operations worldwide. Thus, the reason for today's dedication," the general continued.
The building was named in honor of Col. Karl L. Polifka, who was the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (predecessor to today's 67th IW) commander Feb. 25 to July 1, 1951. He died while flying an F-51 visual reconnaissance mission west of Kaesong, North Korea.
"In dedicating our headquarters to a former wing commander, an early pioneer in aerial reconnaissance and a fellow Air Force warrior who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of this great country; the collective hearts of the men and women of the 67th swell with pride," Col. Alan B. Thomas, 67th Intelligence Wing commander, said during the dedication.
After thanking members of the 67th for naming the new wing headquarters building after his father, retired Col. Karl L. Polifka Jr., unveiled a portrait of his father donated by his family for use inside the building.
"The building symbolizes the bridge between the past and the challenges of tomorrow. It represents the direction the Air Force is heading … to meet the information operations challenges facing our service and our country," Casciano said. "It is an investment in [the] future."