Keith Alexander: Cybercom On Way to Promotion
Keith Alexander
Army Gen. Keith Alexander recently told a Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association conference that U.S. Cyber Command is on a path to becoming a unified combatant command, Defense News reports.
Alexander serves as commander of Cybercom and director of the National Security Agency, with both based at Fort Meade, Md.
Cybercom reports to Strategic Command, led by Air Force Gen. C. Robert Kehler, as a sub-unified command and Alexander reports directly to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta for his NSA duties.
Dale Meyerrose, former assistant director of national intelligence, told reporter Zachary Fryer-Biggs the dual roles of leading Cybercom and the NSA may have to be separated if Cybercom becomes a unified combatant command.
If the promotion goes through, Cybercom would have the same direct access as regional combatant command to Panetta and Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The promotion requires approval from the president.