Information Protection Office joins wing Published Jan. 22, 2009 By Ralph Milone Eglin OPSEC program manager EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Effective Feb. 2, a new organization will be added to the 96th Air Base Wing's organizational chart. This new organization, formerly under the 96th Security Forces Squadron's Plans and Programs, will be designated as the Information Protection Office, or 96th ABW/IP. The realignment will move programs like information, personnel, industrial and operations security currently under the purview of the Information Security Program Manager to under the 96th Air Base Wing, Deputy Commander. The Information Protection office will also take on a new mission that will be to provide the 96 ABW Commander a secure environment for protecting sensitive information assets and enabling sustainable capability for seamless information exchange. It will also realign foreign disclosure, acquisition security and the "out-and about" security manager program under the wing. "As the Air Force continues to look at ways to better highlight and improve security practices and service--elevating Information Protection from a squadron to a wing reporting level brings greater visibility to this critical component of the base's mission...as well as that of our Air Force," said Col. Rick LoCastro, 96 ABW vice commander. The reorganization, which was approved by the Air Force Chief of Staff, will not affect customer service. During the next two weeks, the staff will be working diligently to ensure all facets of its functions are captured and transitioned efficiently to the wing. "The Information Protection Office will continue to provide Team Eglin with the same quality service and guidance involving these security disciplines and support," said Rick Garza, Chief, Installation Security Programs Division. "The move will be transparent to our customers; the only change will be in our name and who we work directly for."