Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Pensacola celebrated its 30th year of operations during a ceremony onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola-Corry Station, Oct. 6.

In 1982, it was recognized that the Naval Security Group would require a significant number of general purpose automated systems for field-station use. With the cost of computer hardware decreasing and software costs increasing at a dramatic pace, it became evident that a new approach to software support was required. Thus, the concept of an organization whose only mission was computer support was born.

In the fall of 1986, the authorization was granted by the chief of naval operations to establish Naval Security Group Det. (NSGD) Pensacola, now known as NIOC Pensacola. A transition team was placed at Headquarters, Naval Security Group Command where planning and implementation efforts continued. Personnel started arriving in Pensacola in February 1987.

The event featured remarks from NIOC Pensacola Commanding Officer Cmdr. Paul D. Lashmet and former officer in charge of NSGD Pensacola, retired Capt. Tom Pigoski.

"We're here today to celebrate the 30th birthday of Navy Information Operations Command, Pensacola; a beacon of Navy cyber operations excellence on Florida's cyber coast," said Lashmet. "Who would've guessed that a 17-person detachment conducting boutique software support for then Commander, Naval Security Group, would survive multiple rounds of site closures and grow to nearly 350 Sailors, civilians and contractors conducting full-scope operations to defend our great nation against a myriad of adversaries around the world?"

Pigoski followed with a chronological and personal summary of the events leading to the establishment of the naval security group detachment and the Navy cryptologic ratings, showcasing the Civil War and World War II as cryptologic milestones.

"Why are we here? How did we get here? It took time! It started in the 1980s; early '80s," said Pigoski. "It was perseverance and help from a lot of organizations and a lot of different people to get to where we are today."

NIOC Pensacola is now a subordinate command of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and comprises Task Group 103 of the U.S. 10th Fleet.

U.S. Fleet Cyber Command serves as the Navy component command to U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Cyber Command, and the Navy's service cryptologic component commander under the National Security Agency/Central Security Service. Fleet Cyber Command also reports directly to the chief of naval operations as an echelon II command.

U.S. 10th Fleet is the operational arm of Fleet Cyber Command and executes its mission through a task force structure similar to other warfare commanders. In this role, Commander, U.S. 10th Fleet (C10F) provides operational direction through its maritime operations center located onboard Fort George Meade, Maryland, executing command and control over assigned forces in support of Navy or joint missions in cyber/networks, information operations, electronic warfare, cryptologic/signals intelligence, and space.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.

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