Computer commandos begin ops at Scott AFB

The addition of 369 jobs and three new cyberspace units at Scott Air Force Base would be a plus for the metro-east on a normal day, but it is especially fortuitous as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is considering moving to this area.

The 835th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, the 837th Cyberspace Squadron and the 688th Cyberspace Operations Group last week made Scott their home. Col. Roger Vrooman, commander of the 688th, put it succinctly and emphatically: “Let’s go!”

These folks will secure government and defense computers and systems, but more specifically protect U.S. Transportation Command, the Air Mobility Command and the Defense Information Systems Agency at Scott. Those protections of the clients of NGA argue that much more for the spy mapping agency to move 3,100 workers from South St. Louis to Scott with its new units creating a cyber shield.

Cyber warriors also are becoming some of our most active defenders. The young officers sitting in nuke silos are no longer the tip of the spear; airmen able to protect defense systems, economic systems, communications and power grids from their laptops are the new vanguard.

Whether the threats come from ISIS, North Korea or some middle schooler in the Baltics, it’s a good feeling to know more defensive muscle is being added close to home.

This story was originally published December 6, 2015 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Computer commandos begin ops at Scott AFB."