The Agency for State Technology (AST) in collaboration with the Florida National Guard is hosting cyber security training this week for state agency information technology and security professionals to learn how to combat potential cyber incidents.
“We often say, it’s not a matter of IF – but WHEN, a cyber security incident will occur. We need to constantly train our security professionals since the types of threats are always evolving. This exercise provides a hands-on opportunity to mitigate a simulated real-life scenario using the tools and techniques that will be deployed during an actual security event,” said AST Executive Director and State Chief Information Officer Eric Larson.
Training groups will participate in potential real-world cyberattacks and will learn how to identify, mitigate and remediate such threats.
“The cyber threat is real. The Florida National Guard takes the threat seriously and is honored to be able to partner with other state agencies to hone our current cyber defense skills as well as learn new techniques in the battle against cyberattacks. Additionally, these trainings bring agency security professionals together and build relationships that will benefit the State when a cyber incident occurs,” said Lt. Colonel Gray Johnson, Chief Information Officer/G6 for the Florida Army National Guard.
Florida National Guard
"Business and Industry Day" Event
Vehicle Convoy Simulator, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Demonstration
WHAT: Camp Blanding community relations event
WHEN: Wednesday, May 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
WHERE: Camp Blanding
Starke, FL 32091
Camp Blanding is hosting a demonstration with local business and industry leaders. Guests will participate in a vehicle convoy simulator course and observe a HIMARS demonstration, and Lt. Col. Scott Taylor, base operations officer, will be available to discuss B&I Day and Camp Blanding’s mission.
Itinerary: 10:00 – 11:00: Vehicle Convoy simulator
1 p.m.: HIMARS demonstration
All news media outlets are asked to arrive at 0930, and RSVP no later than Tuesday, 9 May, at noon in order to ensure post access.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Mr. William Manley
Deputy Communications Director, Dept of Military Affairs
(904) 823-0170 (office)
ICYMI: Bay News 9: Gov. Scott Directed Florida National Guard to Fight Wildfires
“Gov. Scott Directed Florida National Guard to Fight Wildfires”
Bay News 9 – Tampa Bay, FL
April 12, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Governor Scott directs Florida National Guard resources to combat wildfires
Governor Rick Scott today directed the Florida National Guard to provide a UH-60 ‘Blackhawk’ helicopter to be placed on standby for potential firefighting missions in Tampa. The aircraft would be flown in support of the Florida Forest Service and will be equipped with the ability to both collect and dispense large quantities of water onto fires without having to land.
Governor Scott said, “As directed by my executive order, our state agencies have been working closely with the Florida Forest Service and our federal partners to determine what resources are needed to fight the increased number of fires across the state. Today I am directing the Florida National Guard to immediately provide resources to help put out forest fires. It is crucial that our firefighters and first responders are able to immediately respond to dangerous wildfires and this helicopter will be an incredibly valuable resource in our fight to protect our communities. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state and local partners to make sure we are doing everything we can to combat these fires and keep our state safe. I ask that all Floridians join my wife Ann and I in praying for the safety of our first responders as they combat these fires.”
Positioning a UH-60 ‘Blackhawk’ helicopter on standby in Tampa will allow National Guard units to activate within minutes and join firefighters and first responders in combatting any ongoing or potential wildfires. The aircraft will be able to dump hundreds of gallons of water onto the flames. Additionally, this will allow the Florida Forest Service to relocate other important aerial resources to different regions of the state to prepared for and respond to wildfires. Yesterday, Governor Scott issued Executive Order 17-120 declaring a state of emergency in Florida following the recent wildfires across the state and the high potential for increased wildfires to continue this year.
Florida National Guard & WJCT to premiere Camp Blanding documentary
WHAT: The televisions debut of the documentary “Camp Blanding: Florida’s Hidden Gem From the Beginning”
WHEN: 8 p.m., Thursday, Mar. 23 2017.
WHERE: WJCT Channel 7-1 / Comcast Channels 8 or 440
This short documentary gives viewers a modern day high tempo view of the current training and capabilities of this little known post. It also provides a rustic historical telling of how the post came into being, its ties to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the Empire State Building, and German POW’s.
Some of the people who appear in the movie worked at Camp Blanding as teenagers, trained there before entering World War Two, were held as German POW’s, and one woman who was born there, tells the story of her father who worked in the post hospital as a doctor.
The original movie was written, directed and produced by Mr. A.J. Artley. The extended version to air on local television was co-produced by Mr. Artley and WJCT Producer, Mr. Carlos Bouvier.
Contributors: Col. Matt Johnson, Commander, Camp Blanding Joint Training Center
Mr. Greg Parsons, Historian, Camp Blanding Museum
Doctor George Cressman, Historian, Camp Blanding Museum
Florida National Guard to premiere "Camp Blanding: Florida's Hidden Gem From the Beginning"
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: A movie screening of the documentary “Camp Blanding: Florida’s Hidden Gem From the Beginning”
WHEN: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 7. Video presentation begins at 7 p.m.
WHERE: WJCT Studios 100 Festival Park Ave., Jacksonville, Fla. 32202
This short documentary gives viewers a modern day high tempo view of the current training and capabilities of this little known post. It also provides a rustic historical telling of how the post came into being, its ties to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the Empire State Building, and German POW’s.
Some of the people who appear in the movie worked at Camp Blanding as teenagers, trained there before entering World War Two, were held as German POW’s, and one woman who was born there, tells the story of her father who worked in the post hospital as a doctor.
The movie was written, directed and produced by Mr. A.J. Artley.
Contributors: Col. Matt Johnson, Commander, Camp Blanding Joint Training Center
Mr. Greg Parsons, Historian, Camp Blanding Museum
Doctor George Cressman, Historian, Camp Blanding Museum
Mr. Carlos Bouvier, WJCT Producer
Governor Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” budget fights to support military heroes and their families
Governor Rick Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget includes investments to allow the men and women of the Florida National Guard to remain ready and able to support their national, state and community missions.
Governor Scott’s “Fighting for Florida’s Future” budget invests $85.9 million in the Florida Department of Military Affairs in order to continue providing ready military units and personnel to support national security and protect the State of Florida. Funding will be used to complete improvements on armories throughout the state, maintain community based programs for youth and adults and support Guardsmen pursuing a higher civilian education.
Governor Rick Scott said, “This year, hundreds of members of our National Guard put their own lives in danger in order to help keep our families and communities safe following the two hurricanes and a tropical storm that impacted our state. These brave men and women deserve our full appreciation and support, and we must do everything we can to support our military members and their families and ensure Florida remains the most military friendly state in the nation.”
“Governor Scott continues to be one of the greatest advocates for our Soldiers and Airmen,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Calhoun, the Adjutant General of Florida. “This year’s budget reflects his ongoing commitment to ensuring we remain fully prepared to safeguard our citizens, state and nation.”
The “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget includes:
Governor Scott’s recommended budget includes $6 million to finalize the updates to the Florida National Guard armories that serve as the core of Florida’s hometown-based units. The updated facilities enable Florida Guardsmen to be trained and ready to react when the state or nation calls upon them. The final armory to be renovated is the Robert F. Ensslin armory in St. Augustine. This funding will complete renovations to the prioritized list of armories in communities from Homestead to Pensacola, enhancing the stationing facilities of nearly 10,000 Army Guardsmen.
In addition to armory renovations, this year’s budget provides $3.4 million for the maintenance and repair of armories statewide, and $2 million to improve armory security.
The budget also adds $765,000 to the Florida Youth Challenge Academy, a 17 ½ month voluntary program geared toward Florida’s 16-to-18-year old at-risk youth. The program consists of a five-and-a-half-month residential phase and a 12-month post-residential phase. More than 4,000 young people have graduated from this program since its inception. For more information, please visit www.floridayouthchallengeacademy.org.
The “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Budget also includes $750,000 for Education Dollars for Duty. This program reimburses Florida National Guard service members for education expenses incurred in pursuit of technical certificates and/or associate’s, baccalaureate or master’s degrees from public or private institutions located here in Florida.
“The governor’s continued commitment to funding the Educational Dollars for Duty program is one of the things that truly makes Florida the most military friendly state in the nation,” said Maj. Butler Strain, Educational Officer for the Florida National Guard. “This program has enabled hundreds of Soldiers and Airmen to pursue their higher education goals, making our Guard and our state stronger.”
“The Florida National Guard is dedicated not only to military excellence, but also to taking care of our citizens,” said Lt. Col. Brian Fallon, Florida Department of Military Affairs State Quartermaster. “We are very pleased that the governor’s budget continues to provide funding for these programs that add such value to our communities.”
“Our armories are at the center of all we do,” said Maj. Sam Sargent, Florida National Guard Force Protection Officer. “Under Governor Scott, we have made tremendous strides in the modernization and improvement of these facilities. This budget will allow us to continue that work to ensure that we are the most ready and capable National Guard in the country, and that our armories are safe environments for our Soldiers, Airmen and citizens.”
Florida National Guard Supports 58th Presidential Inauguration
Approximately 340 Soldiers and Airmen from the Florida National Guard supported the 58th Presidential Inauguration this week in Washington, D.C.
Florida National Guardsmen led Task Force Crowd, comprised of eight states’ National Guard forces, in assisting the local and federal civilian agencies in Washington, D.C.
“We are the eyes and ears of the U.S. Park Police and civil authorities that are out there,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Edson Kline, Joint Task Force Florida/Task Force Crowd Commander and 779th Engineer Battalion Commander.
Florida Guardsmen also played a significant role in Task Force Cyber, protecting the various communications networks from cyber threats.
“Cyber security is an ever growing concern within the military services, as well as our government. Cyber warfare is a very real threat and we must be ready to meet that threat and safeguard our democracy,” said DCO Team Chief, Maj. Jennifer Hunt. “The Florida Army National Guard is honored to play a role in the Presidential Inauguration and for the opportunity to serve on the forefront of cyber defense operations for our nation.”
In total, more than 7,500 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from 44 states, three territories and the District of Columbia will serve with the specially created Joint Task Force – District of Columbia. The District of Columbia National Guard created JTF – DC in response to requests for assistance from local and federal agencies in the National Capital Region. As a whole, National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will augment the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police forces on a range of support, including traffic control, crowd management, logistics and communication.
National Guard support to presidential inaugurations dates to April 30, 1789, when local militia members (today’s National Guard) joined the U.S. Army and revolutionary war veterans to form an honor detail and escort Gen. George Washington to his inauguration ceremony in New York City from Mount Vernon, Va. Over the years, National Guard involvement has grown and is designated to honor the commander-in-chief, recognize civilian control of the military, and celebrate democracy.
