New York Congress Members Call for Cyber Squadron in New York
New York Congress Members Call for Cyber Squadron in New York
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) joined U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) with Reps. Steve Israel and Richard Hanna and the entire New York State Congressional Delegation to support the establishing an Air National Guard Cyber Operations Squadron in New York state:
“The establishment of an Air National Guard Cyber Operations Squadron in New York State addresses one of the most critical security challenges facing our nation today, cyber-terrorism”, said Rep. Meeks. “Today, more than ever, our economy is reliant on information networks that may be vulnerable to attack. Defending our banking, air travel, and energy IT systems while strengthening and other critical infrastructure must remain our highest priority. I fully support the Air National Guard and U.S. Cyber Command developing a center for cyber security operations in New York and strongly encourage General Clarke and Admiral Rodger to consider our request.”
The Air National Guard plans to establish four Cyber Operations Squadrons nationwide.
“I’m urging the Air National Guard and U.S. Cyber Command to establish a Cyber Operations Squadron here in New York,” Senator Gillibrand said. “As our state and our country continue to face rapidly evolving cyber threats, New York’s Air National Guard is especially well positioned to fulfill the mission of combatting these new threats and keeping our country safe. In addition to being a top terror target, New York has the strong academic and cyber defense infrastructure and the skilled workforce necessary to make it an ideal place to locate and grow a Cyber Squadron.”
“I strongly support putting a Cyber Squadron in New York as it would fit seamlessly with all of the efforts in our state to combat attacks to our networks,” Rep. Hanna said. “Whether at the Air Force Research Lab in Rome, N.Y. or at other locations across the state, there are several premier Cyber Centers of Excellence in New York that will compliment and support the development of a strong and effective Cyber Squadron. We are at the forefront of technological advances in New York and an Air National Guard Squadron will continue to build on the successes we have already achieved.”
“The NY Air National Guard plays a pivotal role in protecting New York against all types of threats,” Rep. Israel said. “Given our geographical significance, vast cyber infrastructure, and numerous educational institutions, New York is prepared to lead the way in combating and responding to cyber-attacks. Establishing an Air National Guard Cyber Operations Squadron in New York would not only benefit New York, but also the country.”
Senator Gillibrand, Reps. Hanna, Israel and the New York Congressional Delegation signed the bipartisan letter.
The cosigners of the letter include:Senator Charles E. Schumer and Reps. Rangel, Tonko, Meeks, Gibson, S.P. Maloney, Katko, Lowey, Rice, Meng, Higgins, Collins, Donovan, Stefanik, Zeldin, C. Maloney, Clarke, Serrano, King, Engel, Slaughter, Reed, Nadler, Crowley, Jefferies, and Velazquez.
The text of the letter is below:
October 13, 2015
Lieutenant General Stanley E. Clarke III Admiral Michael S. Rogers, US Navy
Director, Air National Guard Commander, U.S. Cyber Command
1000 Air Force Pentagon, 5C1052 9800 Savage Road
Washington, D.C. 20330-1000 Fort George G. Meade, MD 20755
Dear Lieutenant General Clarke and Admiral Rogers,
As the process to determine the location of the Air National Guard’s Cyber Operations Squadrons is ongoing, we join together to express our strong support for the establishment of a squadron in New York. We commend the Air National Guard on its critical and comprehensive efforts to respond to the growing cyber threats our country faces and fully support its decision to expand its role in cyberspace. Not only is New York our country’s financial hub and number one terror target, but it is also home to significant cyber security talent both in the military and in civilian domains.
At both the federal and state levels, our country faces rapidly evolving cyber threats. Guard personnel are uniquely placed to effectively respond to an ever-shifting multi-level threat environment through the integration of their private sector expertise with the unparalleled training they receive as cyber warriors in the Air National Guard. New York’s Air National Guard is especially well placed to fulfill this mission. The New York Air National Guard is the largest Air Guard in the country, with five Wings distributed across the State and the Eastern Air Defense Sector Air Force Unit. These organizations presently maintain robust information assurance capabilities with increased growth capacity for cyber development by leveraging civilian cyber skills.
Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the New York Air National Guard has played an increasingly vital role in our country’s security. For example, the 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base has demonstrated the Guard’s capacity to make use of cutting edge technological advancements in support of America’s active forces. Today, the 174th operates the MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft and trains personnel from across active military branches in drone maintenance. A range of command and communications capabilities are also offered by the 106th Air Rescue Wing, based at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base on the east end of Long Island, NY, which continues to deploy worldwide to provide global combat mission support to U.S. and allied forces. Finally, the Eastern Air Defense Sector provides the critical air defense picture east of the Mississippi River while partnering with science and technology teams from the Air Force Research Laboratory co-located in the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome, New York.
As the battlefront in our country’s defense expands further into the cyber domain, the brave men and women of the New York Air National Guard are eager to help respond to these new challenges as well. The New York Air National Guard has existing infrastructure on which to expand its foundation in cyber security. New York currently offers two sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIFs) that would be accessible to the Guard, one at the State Headquarters in Latham and another at the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate in Rome (Rome Lab), which is in close proximity to several premier Cyber Centers of Excellence. Additionally, a Guard-accessible SCIF is under construction at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS), and is scheduled to be completed in 2016.
Moreover, New York currently boasts four bachelor’s degree programs throughout the state that are certified as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense, which is more than any other state. These educational institutions will cultivate highly skilled cyber talent within New York and augment the State’s already large number of qualified communications and cyber soldiers with significant civilian information assurance backgrounds. The State’s strong academic infrastructure and resident civilian workforce will allow the New York Air National Guard to maintain its strong record of consistently recruiting and retaining above authorized personnel levels if selected while taking a greater role in performing cyber mission sets.
The addition of an Air National Guard Cyber Operations Squadron would enable New York’s Guard to continue pushing the boundaries of advanced technology in defense of assets both within New York and around the country. We understand that during the Air National Guard Cyber Operations Squadron selection process you must consider several candidates. However, we are hopeful that upon looking closely at the success of the Air National Guard in New York, the critical cyber challenges that are likely to confront New York and the opportunity available for growth within the state, you will strongly consider New York for an Air National Guard Cyber Operation Squadron.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
U.S. Representative Richard Hanna
U.S. Representative Steve Israel
Members of the New York Congressional Delegation