ARLINGTON, VA – Lieutenant General Harry D. Raduege, Jr., USAF, Director, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), assumed command of the newly named Joint Task Force—Global Network Operations (JTF-GNO) in a recent ceremony that also gave him the added responsibilities of Deputy Commander for Global Network Operations and Defense, United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). The unit, formerly known as the Joint Task Force—Computer Network Operations, had been commanded since June 2000 by Major General J. David Bryan, USA.

The Secretary of Defense directed that action in a June 18, 2004, memo, which reads, “I assign the Director, DISA, as Deputy Commander for Global Network Operations and Defense, USSTRATCOM Joint Forces Headquarters—Information Operations (JFHQ-IO), with authorities and responsibilities for Global Network Operations and Defense. The Joint Task Force—Computer Network Operations is designated as the Joint Task Force—Global Network Operations, and the Deputy Commander for Global Network Operations and Defense, USSTRATCOM, will serve as its commander. This action is consistent with the Unified Command Plan 2002 mission assignments through execution of responsibilities assigned under DoD Directive O-8530-1, ‘Computer Network Defense,’ and DoD Directive 8500.1, ‘Information Assurance.’”

The JTF-GNO began as the Joint Task Force—Computer Network Defense(JTF-CND) in December 1998 with the mandate to “coordinate and direct the defense of DoD computer systems and computer networks . . . in conjunction with the unified commands, services and agencies.” Major General John Campbell, USAF, was the first Commander, JTF (CJTF), and oversaw its transition from the Joint Staff to U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM). In June 2000, Major General Bryan became CJTF and shepherded the young command through its first redesignation from JTF-CND to JTF-CNO. In October 2002, USSPACECOM and USSTRATCOM merged, and JTF-CNO became a component command of the JFHQ-IO.

The designation “JTF-GNO” reflects the command’s mandate to lead and direct continuous system and network management, information assurance, computer network defense, and information dissemination management throughout the Global Information Grid under the authority of Commander, USSTRATCOM.