Military names cyberwarriors

The new leadership of the Joint Task Force for Global Network Operations (JTF-GNO), the military’s computer defense organization, will consist of Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles Croom and Navy Rear Adm. Elizabeth Hight.

Adm. Vern Clark, chief of naval operations, announced April 20 that Hight will serve as deputy commander for JTF-GNO and principal director for Global Information Grid Operations at the Defense Information Systems Agency. She currently serves as the assistant division director for command, control, communications and computers in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon.

An Air Force spokeswoman said last month that Defense Department officials nominated Croom, the service’s director of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance infrastructure and deputy chief of staff for warfighting integration, for DISA director. The agency director also serves as the JTF-GNO commander, the military’s top cyberwarrior.

Croom replaces Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry Raduege, DISA’s director and JTF-GNO’s commander. Raduege plans to retire from the military this fall. Hight takes over for Army Brig. Gen. Dennis Via, DISA’s deputy director for operations and JTF-GNO deputy commander. He will become commanding general of the 5th Signal Command/Deputy Chief of Staff, G-6, Army Europe and Seventh Army, Germany.