Army Cyber welcomes new commander

In a ceremony held on October 14, Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone assumed leadership of U.S. Army Cyber Command and Second Army. He took over responsibilities from outgoing commander, Lt. Gen. Edward Cardon, who led Army Cyber for more than three years. Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Mark Milley, spoke at the ceremony and passed the Army Cyber colors from Cardon to Nakasone.

U.S. Army Cyber Command was first established in 2010, and Cardon was just the second commander of the unit. Under his leadership, the command led the establishment of a dedicated Cyber branch in the Army, completed the initial build of the 41 Active Army teams in the Cyber Mission Force, integrated Cyber elements in overseas combat missions and alongside maneuver Army units at Army Combat Training Centers, and initiated the construction of the new Army Cyber Command headquarters at Ft. Gordon, Ga.

“I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead this remarkable command at this critical point in its history,” said Cardon during his remarks. “The challenges of operationalizing a new warfighting domain–where software, hardware, and people can change things at a rapid pace–while simultaneously engaging adversaries, building capabilities, and building a force comprised a formidable mission. The remarkable accomplishments of our team is truly stunning, and a testament to the hard work of the great people I have been honored to lead.”

Lt. Gen. Cardon’s next position is Director of the Army’s Office of Business Transformation.

Prior to Lt. Gen. Nakasone’s most recent position commanding the Cyber National Mission Force at U.S. Cyber Command, he was Army Cyber Command’s deputy commanding general for operations.

“It is a privilege and honor to rejoin the Army Cyber and Second Army team as your Commander. Today, we are at the forefront of one of the most transformative times in our Army’s history,” said Nakasone in his remarks. “Cyberspace is a dynamic and challenging domain that is revolutionizing the way our Army fights and wins. Army Cyber and Second Army are building and employing a preeminent cyber force charged with delivering capabilities to the Joint Force and our Army. I am honored and proud to serve with all of you.”

Nakasone has served in Army assignments in the United States, the Republic of Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In addition to Army Cyber Command, Lt. Gen. Nakasone also assumes leadership of U.S. Cyber Command’s Joint Task Force-ARES, which provides unified and sustained cyberspace support to broader military efforts to counter ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

Over the course of his career, Lt. Gen. Nakasone has commanded a company, battalion, and brigade, and served as the senior intelligence officer at the battalion, division and corps levels. He has also served on two occasions as a staff officer on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Lt. Gen. Nakasone is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, the Command and General Staff College, and Defense Intelligence College. He holds graduate degrees from the U.S. Army War College, the National Defense Intelligence College, and the University of Southern California.

His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.