175th Cyberspace Operations Group and ISR Building Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Article and photos by Master Sgt. Christopher Schepers, 175th Wing
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The Maryland Air National Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Cyber Operations and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance building, June 6, 2020, at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md. The new $13.2 million, 27,500 square-foot facility was completed in early 2020.
“The Maryland Air National Guard set a vision many years ago to build a world-class organization designed to deliver offensive and defensive cyber warfare effects as well as unmatched intelligence capabilities,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Victor Macias, 175th Cyberspace Operations Group commander. “In short order, members flooded to our organization, and this facility coupled with our soon-to-open facility at Ft. Meade provide the ability to conduct operations as well as host assigned mission partners as needed.”
The new building will be the home to three of the four 175th COG squadrons and the 135th Intelligence Squadron, while the fourth COG squadron will be at Ft. Meade.
“After years of having the Intel Squadron and the four squadrons of the COG scattered across the base it is great to finally move three of them into their proper facility,” explained U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Johnson, 175th Wing commander. “I want to thank them and their hosts for being patient and innovative. It’s been a true Wing-wide effort.”
The ceremony, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 response and safety measures enacted at the base to prevent the spread of the disease, finally occurred with limited participation. The event was attended by wing and cyber leadership during a recent regularly scheduled drill weekend. However, this does not diminish the importance of this milestone and the impact that it will have for the mission of the COG and Intelligence Squadron.
“Members of the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group and 135th Intelligence Squadron conduct our nation’s premier information warfare activities and now we have a facility which enables them to deliver operational outcomes in support of U.S. national security interests,” said Macias. “I could not be any more proud of the women and men of this organization.”
The new Network Warfare Center building at Ft. Meade is scheduled to be complete in August of 2020.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]