US Marines’ Lorna Mahlock Takes Command of Cyber National Mission Force

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Lorna Mahlock has taken command of the Cyber National Mission Force, replacing U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William J. Hartman. 

U.S.  Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, U.S. Cyber Command head, acknowledged during the change of command ceremony Mahlock’s previous cybersecurity experience in the National Security Agency as a further boost to the CNMF’s relationships with partners. Mahlock served as the deputy director for combat support in the NSA’s Cybersecurity Directorate, the U.S. Cyber Command said Friday.

Mahlock’s other past deployments included as Marine Corps’ chief information officer and several support postings at Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom, CYBERCOM added. It also noted her command as G3 land operation lead and division executive officer for European Command Headquarters.

Mahlock said she is “humbled by the opportunity to serve” the CNMF with “elite cyber warriors.” Mahlock’s CNMF command covers over 2,000 joint service military and civilian personnel and contractors with six task forces involving 39 cybersecurity teams. 

During Hartman’s four-and-a-half-year term as the unit’s previous commander, the CNMF saw “growth and maturation,” including its evolution as CYBERCOM’s sub-unified command, according to Nakasone.