The 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) hosted a ceremony between two Army National Guard battalions to transfer the Task Force Echo cyberspace mission, at Fort George G. Meade, Md., Feb. 21, 2020.
The ceremony marked the end of a 15-month deployment supporting U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) for the Soldiers of the 126th Cyber Protection Battalion, who handed the task force mission to the 124th CPB during the event.
The members of the 124th hail from Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Virginia and Utah, while the 126th is comprised of Soldiers from Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont.
Col. Brian Vile, commander of the 780th, served as host and featured speaker for the ceremony.
"The Soldiers before you today are the warriors of the 21st century, and they bring skills and expertise that are changing the face of modern warfare," Vile said of the two battalions. "Their skillful execution of their technically demanding tasks underpins both USCYBERCOM's and the brigade's ability to perform their assigned missions."
"The decision to utilize the dedicated, experienced, and technically skilled members of the Guard in this capacity clearly demonstrates the integral role the National Guard plays in the defense of our nation," he added. "What is less obvious is that the unique skills and viewpoints they bring to the fight are the critical catalyst that ensures continued momentum from potential to demonstrated capability."
Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Fogarty, commander of Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER), spoke with the Soldiers of the 126th prior to the ceremony and thanked them for their service.
“You are vital to our ability to actually operate,” Fogarty said. “What you do is very complex and very critical. What was especially noteworthy for this rotation was that you represented 12 states and came together so brilliantly to not only get the job done, but to make so many great improvements to our core systems and processes.”
In the past year three years, more than 450 Army National Guard Soldiers have been assigned to the task force, working alongside the 780th to conduct cyberspace operations in support of USCYBERCOM and the Cyber National Mission Force. The task force is aligned under the 780th, which falls under the operational control of ARCYBER.
Task Force Echo also provides an opportunity for states to send Soldiers to Fort Meade to get certified and receive the education and experience they need to get Army National Guard Cyber Protection Teams to their initial operating capacity and full operational capacity. Task force members return to their home stations with increased skills and with hands-on experience, giving states added capabilities to support their missions.
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ABOUT US: United States Army Cyber Command directs and conducts integrated electronic warfare, information and cyberspace operations as authorized, or directed, to ensure freedom of action in and through cyberspace and the information environment, and to deny the same to our adversaries.
The 780th Military Intelligence (MI) Brigade (Cyber) conducts cyberspace operations to deliver effects in support of Army and joint requirements.
Interested in becoming an Army cyber Soldier or civilian employee? Check out the career links at www.arcyber.army.mil
Date Taken: | 02.21.2020 |
Date Posted: | 02.21.2020 17:17 |
Story ID: | 363664 |
Location: | US |
Web Views: | 595 |
Downloads: | 3 |
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