Staff Report
Members of the 175th Cyber Protection Team wrap up a year-long deployment to Fort Meade, Md. as part of Task Force Echo supporting cyberspace operations for U.S. Cyber Command. (courtesy photo)
Fort Meade, Md. -- A unique unit within the Kentucky National Guard has returned from the Washington D.C. area after spending the last year conducting cyberspace operations in support of US Cyber Command.
The 13-member unit is a part of the 175th Cyber Protection Team, which consists of Soldiers from Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. They joined other states in rounding out an organization called Task Force Echo.
“These Soldiers have a skill set that is unique to the Guard and one that they excel in due to both their military and civilian experience,” said 75th Troop Command Brigade Commander, Col. Douglas Clay. “This new war fighting domain is one that we’re still trying to wrap our heads around and I’m proud to say our Soldiers are at the tip of the spear. We couldn’t have deployed a stronger group of Soldiers for such a vital mission.”
The 175th CPT was formed in 2016 drawing Soldiers with
skills and technical backgrounds from their civilian jobs. Many of these
Soldiers study and work in cyber, computer science, information technology, and
engineering careers for companies within the Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia
region. The individual team members have each completed numerous training
programs in preparation for the deployment.
After returning back to the Commonwealth, these Soldiers will continue to provide support by training future team members and preparing for missions under state authorities.