President Biden has nominated Maj. Gen. Thomas K. Hensley to lead the Air Force’s information warfare command, the Pentagon announced today.
The 16th Air Force (Air Force Cyber) is the service’s integrated information warfare organization. If confirmed to the post by the Senate, Hensley would oversee the command’s efforts including cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electromagnetic spectrum operations, and more.
The 16th Air Force is the result of one of the first in a series of reorganizations across the U.S. military to address the disparate functions of information warfare.
Hensley’s nomination comes at a time when the Air Force plans to make changes to the service as part of a reoptimization effort that would elevate the role of the 16th Air Force, particularly regarding its cyber operations.
If confirmed, Hensley would take over for Lt. Gen. Kevin Kennedy, who has served in the role since the summer of 2022. Hensley would also pin his third star with the promotion to lieutenant general.
Hensley currently serves as the deputy commander for the 16th Air Force Command.
Before joining the 16th Air Force, Hensley served as the deputy director of operations for combat support at the National Security Agency (NSA), chief of NSA’s Central Security Service, and as the Air Force’s sole authority for matters involving the conduct of cryptologic activities.
