© Patrick Semansky/AP
The National Security Administration campus in Fort Meade, Maryland, where the U.S. Cyber Command is located.
The National Security Administration campus in Fort Meade, Maryland, where the U.S. Cyber Command is located.
The move comes after President Donald Trump, in accordance with congressional mandate, directed Cyber Command to elevate to a full unified combatant command out from under Strategic Command. It also takes place as the agency prepares for a new commander with the expected retirement of Adm. Michael Rogers this spring.
As a result of the reorganization, Fifth Domain has learned that Army Lt. Gen. William Mayville is serving as deputy commander at the organization. The position did not previously exist, and the Pentagon did not announce Mayville's move to the new job.
The Defense Department announced in June that Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart, who most recently served as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was nominated to serve as the deputy commander of Cyber Command.
According to congressional records, both Mayville and Stewart were confirmed to the rank of lieutenant general on July 31 while "assigned to a position of importance and responsibility." That's pro forma language attached to most major nomination positions.
Comment: StratComm. Cyber Command. Does anyone really believe that these are solely "defensive" operations? One of the main purposes for cyber warriors is information warfare, i.e. psychological operations, i.e. propaganda, i.e. "meddling" in other countries' domestic affairs. The U.S. establishment makes a big stink about "Russian meddling", neglecting to mention that such meddling is a two-way street. The only reason the Russians are winning the information war is because they have a big advantage: the truth. All RT has to do is present the news and commentary that the MSM self-censors itself from presenting. What a novel concept.
See also: More meddling in other countries: 'Cyber warriors' to join US infantry overseas