Navy stands up first cyber type command

Oct. 1, 2014 

Rear Adm. Diane Webber became the first cyber type commander Oct. 1, when the Navy Information Dominance Forces command was stood up. (Robin Hicks / Navy) 

Submarines have a three-star type commander who oversees their force. So do ship crews, aviation squadrons, and expeditionary sailors likes Seabees and divers.

Now Navy hackers have their own, too.

The newest TYCOM stood up Tuesday with the creation of Navy Information Dominance Forces, which will align several different cyber and technology commands under one roof.

NAVIDFOR, as it will be known, will consolidate missions, functions and tasks from Navy Cyber Forces Command, Fleet Cyber Command, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Office of Naval Intelligence, according to a Wednesday release from NCF.

“The standup of the NAVIDFOR TYCOM directly supports integration of ID capabilities throughout the Navy and is a natural progression in the development of an ID force capable of delivering assured command and control, battlespace awareness and integrated fires,” said Rear Adm. Diane Webber, the newly minted NAVIDFOR commander, in the release.

The shift gives information dominance the same kind of command structure that other weapons systems fall under, the way surface ships’ manning and training is overseen by Naval Surface Forces. Ditto for aircraft training and manpower falling under Naval Air Forces.

“NAVIDFOR’s establishment is the next step in the evolution of ID as a Navy warfighting discipline,” Webber said.

Webber, who has been commanding officer of NCF since Sept. 2013, will serve just a few days with NAVIDFOR. Rear Adm. Matthew Kohler, director of intelligence operations at ONI, will relieve her on Friday.

He’ll oversee NAVIDFOR’s initial organization as the Navy works toward its goal for full operation by Dec. 31.