Tag Archive for: command

US Cyber Command Expanded ‘Hunt Forward’ Operations in 2023

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Cyberwarfare / Nation-State Attacks
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Fraud Management & Cybercrime
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Government

US Cyber Mission Force Led 22 Defensive Cyber Operations in 2023, Commander Says

Chris Riotta (@chrisriotta) •
April 12, 2024    

US Cyber Command Expanded 'Hunt Forward' Operations in 2023
The Cyber National Mission Force was active in “hunt forward” operations across the globe in 2023. (Image: Shutterstock)

A secretive U.S. cyber military force ramped up global operations in 2023, executing more than double the average number of “hunt forward” campaigns than the previous five years, according to the head of U.S. Cyber Command.

See Also: Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity & Risk Monitoring: Elections Infrastructure

The Cyber National Mission Force carried out 22 operations in 2023, Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh – commander of the U.S. Cyber Command – testified to the Senate Armed Services committee Wednesday. The mission force deployed a total of 55 times since 2018, Cyber Command said in December.

Haugh told lawmakers the Cyber National Mission Force “constrained adversary freedom of maneuver” in 2023, while supporting allies and generating important insights on the evolving cyber threat landscape. Cyber Command’s hunt forward teams are deployed after partner nations invite the military force to assist in detecting malicious cyber activity on government systems and networks.

The hunt forward teams carried out cyber campaigns in all regions where the combatant command was authorized to operate in 2023, according to Haugh, resulting in the public release of more than 90 malware samples for…

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Providing A Cyber Capability Focus > Space Operations Command (SpOC) > Article Display

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PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. —  The growing importance of cyber operations within the U.S. Space Force is driving a required focus on space systems at the Special Access Program level, explained Mr. David Wilcox, Space Operations Command’s Cyber Warfare Mission Area team chief. “Recognition of this gap lead to the stand-up of a Branch specifically focused on this… and I was chosen as the lead.”

As the Cyber Warfare Branch chief, Wilcox is the subject matter expert supporting SpOC’s cyberspace secure-and-defend operations for USSF missions. “Specifically, I provide subject matter expertise for integration of secure-and-defend capabilities on Special Access Program, and lead efforts for providing cyber-enabled space operations capabilities for combat power projection.”

The importance and criticality of SpOC’s cyberspace secure-and-defend operations has only increased over time. Wilcox explains, “…I know the impact of my job for SpOC and the USSF is critical to allowing our service to become a leader in cyberspace operations in support of space operations.  Our team, just with SpOC, has led USSF efforts to drive Commanders and Senior Leaders to understand the impact cyberspace risks have on total mission risk as we present our capabilities and forces in support of Combatant Commands around the globe.”

Leading a team that delivers such consequential capabilities to the security of the nation provides Wilcox a satisfaction that comes from knowing what he does, day-in day-out, is crucial and far-reaching.

Wilcox’s tenure as a Department of Defense civilian employee started with the now deactivated Air Force Space Command, and after 13 years developed into his current role which came about with senior leaders’ realization of the importance of cyber operations as part of the newly formed USSF.

“I am very satisfied with the work I do in trying to achieve the end state for SpOC and the USSF,” said Wilcox. “With the stand-up of the USSF, I feel honored to be part of something that will last years into the future and ensure and maintain access to space resources and capabilities for our nation and our Allies.”

Wilcox, an integral…

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Wilsbach named as next Air Combat Command chief

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The Biden administration has tapped Air Force Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the service’s top officer in the Pacific, to run Air Combat Command, the Pentagon announced Thursday.

If confirmed by the Senate, Wilsbach would come in at a time of transition for ACC, the Air Force’s largest umbrella organization for air warfare. He would bring to ACC his experience as a career fighter pilot who has spent most of the past four decades in the Pacific, as the U.S. military views China as its top strategic threat.

He is set to succeed Gen. Mark Kelly, who has led the command since August 2020. Air Force Staff Director Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider was nominated April 20 to replace Wilsbach at Pacific Air Forces; it’s unclear what Kelly’s next move will be.

Wilsbach was commissioned into the Air Force in 1985 and became a decorated pilot with more than 5,000 flight hours in the F-15C, F-16C and F-22 fighter jets and MC-12 intelligence plane. His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star, among others, according to his official biography.

Prior to leading PACAF, he recently served as the deputy commander of U.S. forces in South Korea, commander of U.S. Northern Command’s Alaska branch, and operations director at U.S. Central Command. He joined PACAF in July 2020.

ACC oversees more than 156,000 personnel across nearly 250 locations around the world. It supplies fighter and intelligence-collection aircraft, cyber warfare specialists and more to commanders in North America, South America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The command is beginning to retire hundreds of its older aircraft after decades at war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, and hopes to build a more flexible and technologically advanced force for the years ahead.

The Pentagon also announced Thursday that Maj. Gen. Linda Hurry will pin on a third star to become the deputy commander of Air Force Materiel Command, the service’s acquisition and maintenance hub. She currently serves as the logistics director at Air Force headquarters.

It’s unclear when their nominations might get across the finish line. Hundreds of military job changes are on hold in the…

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Retired U.S. Army Cyber Command Leader Stephen Fogarty Joins Booz Allen Hamilton

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MCLEAN, Va.–()–Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) announced today that Stephen Fogarty—a retired lieutenant general with extensive cyber, intelligence, and information technology (IT) experience—has joined Booz Allen as a senior executive advisor. In this role, Fogarty will help lead the development of threat-informed defensive and offensive cyber strategies and solutions to expand the firm’s National Cyber capabilities in support of U.S. government and international mission partners.

Fogarty brings 38 years of active duty leadership to this position having most recently served as commanding general of the U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER). In this role, he was responsible for conducting complex defensive and offensive cyber and information warfare operations worldwide. During his tenure, he led a skilled workforce of 16,500 soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, and contractors collaborating with other U.S. government, commercial, and international mission partners. Fogarty’s team conducted IT operations for 1.1 million soldiers and civilians at 188 bases, in addition to persistent defensive and offensive cyber and information warfare operations 24/7 worldwide.

“Stephen has proven experience in building and leading teams to solve complex problems—all with the urgency and collaboration today’s cyber threat landscape demands,” said Brad Medairy, executive vice president and leader of the firm’s National Cyber business. “To our adversaries, the cyber ecosystem is one connected battlespace, putting U.S. government and private infrastructure at risk. In this increasingly connected environment, Stephen’s expertise will be invaluable as we expand our National Cyber capabilities in support of our nation’s most critical missions.”

Fogarty spearheaded Army and Joint cyber, intelligence, and communications operations in a series of leadership positions, including commanding the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, commanding the Cyber Center of Excellence, and serving as chief of staff for the U.S. Cyber Command. In these roles, he successfully trained, equipped, deployed, and supported soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines,…

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