US TENTH Fleet cyber warriors support exercise CYBER FLAG 13-1

Photo By Airman 1st Class Matthew Lancaster | U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Joel Melendez, Naval Network Warfare Command information systems analysis, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Rogerick Montgomery, U.S. Cyber Command network analysis, and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Harding, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade cyber systems analysis, analyze an exercise scenario during Cyber Flag 13-1, Nov. 8, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Cyber Flag strategically focuses on exercising the command's mission of operating and defending the Department of Defense networks across the full spectrum of operations against a realistic adversary in a virtual environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Lancaster)  

FORT MEADE, MD, UNITED STATES

11.09.2012

Story by Lt. Joseph Holstead 

U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / U.S. 10th Fleet

FORT MEADE,Md. -U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. TENTH Fleet (FCC/C10F) cyber warriors supported exercise CYBER FLAG 13-1, which took place Oct. 29 - Nov. 8 at Nellis Air Force base in Nevada.

CYBER FLAG 13-1 is the second joint cyberspace training exercise that U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) conducted and was strategically focused on exercising the command's mission of operating and defending the Department of Defense networks across the full spectrum of operations against a realistic adversary in a virtual environment.

"The exercise was excellent; truly a major success," said Lt. Cmdr. David W. Filanowicz, FCC/C10F deputy current operations officer and FCC/C10F CYBER FLAG battle watch captain. "We had a team in place that was able to do anything that can be done on a network."

U.S. Strategic Command and USCYBERCOM implemented Cyber Flag as a joint cyberspace training event.

FCC/C10F serves as the Navy component command to U.S. Strategic Command for cyberspace operations, space operations, and information operations and is assigned as the Navy cyber component to USCYBERCOM for cyberspace operations.

CYBER FLAG 13-1 allowed the FCC/C10F team to work together and see what they are capable of achieving.

"The exercise was challenging and demanding - the team was required to adjust to rapidly changing, realistic conditions," said Cryptologic Technician (Networks) 1st Class Jacob Horne from Navy Information Operations Command Texas, which is CTF 1040 under C10F. "We had to constantly apply our training and find creative ways of effectively completing the mission."

Horne won the exercise's "General Alexander Innovative Leadership Award" for developing creative and out-of-the-box ideas that led to mission success.

"It was an honor to be recognized," Horne said. "Despite the blistering pace and complex objectives, there was great mentorship and support for us at every turn and that truly allowed everyone to excel."

The exercise positions FCC/C10F well for the future.

"If a war were to break out, I'd put this team together and send them anywhere in the world," said Filanowicz. "They are masters in cyberspace - cyber warriors."

The exercise also served to reinforce the FCC/C10F goal of providing Navy and Joint commanders with an operational advantage by assuring access to cyberspace and confident command and control that prevents strategic surprise in cyberspace while delivering decisive cyber effects.

CYBER FLAG 12-1 was held in November 2011, also at Nellis Air Force Base.

USCYBERCOM conducts exercises to confirm that its cyber forces and capabilities can be executed when necessary to meet the national security mission.

• Date Taken: 11.09.2012
• Date Posted: 11.20.2012 07:06
• Story ID: 98136
• Location: FORT MEADE, MD, US