History
Cryptologic Warfare Group (CWG) 6 celebrates a distinguished history which includes several timely realignments that have positioned us to maximize potential by delivering quality intelligence and operational support to both the warfighters and decision-makers. CWG-6 reports operationally to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Commander, U.S. 10th Fleet, and administratively to Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR).
CWG-6 was established on June 9, 2017, during a ceremony that also included the establishment of three additional subordinate commands: Cryptologic Warfare Maritime Activity (CWMA) 61, Cyber Strike Activity (CSA) 63 and Cyber Defense Activity (CDA) 64. The previous command re-structure took place on Sept. 30, 2005, when Naval Security Group Command merged with the Naval Network Warfare Command as part of a Chief of Naval Operations-directed naval transformation strategy. NSGA Fort Meade was re-designated as Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Maryland and assigned parent command responsibilities for Navy Information Operations Detachment (NIOD) Alice Springs, Australia.
CWG-6 was originally established as Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Fort Meade by the Secretary of the Navy on July 17, 1957, falling under the auspices of the Commander, Naval Security Group (CNSG). The command went on to become the largest NSGA, with a complement of over 2,000 officer, enlisted and civilian personnel, and existed as a tenant command on the Fort George G. Meade Garrison. Since the command’s founding, the mission of providing cryptologic and related intelligence support to worldwide theaters has changed significantly. Two events, in particular, played a key role in these changes. First, was the establishment in 1981 of CLASSIC PALADIN, which provided the command with a cryptologic direct support mission. Second, was the shift of the operations department from CNSG to the control of the NSGA Fort Meade commanding officer. As the nation’s responsibilities changed (along with the 1996 move of Headquarters, Naval Security Group and support elements of the Naval Security Station, Washington, D.C. to Fort Meade), the command continued growing and increasing its varied missions. The command has responded forcefully and capably to every challenge, improving facilities and revising programs as required.
On May 1, 1997, the command added the additional responsibility from Naval District Washington of providing casualty assistance calls and funeral honors support for six counties within the state of Maryland.
CWG-6 has undergone many changes, but has always delivered a strong, capable force. The command has enjoyed Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Five-Star status for its Bachelor Quarters since 2002; was selected as Chamber of Commerce Military Unit of the Year for 2006; earned the Rear Admiral G. P. March Foreign Language Excellence Award for five consecutive years (2005 through 2009) and the Department of Defense Language Excellence Award in 2008 and 2009. Additionally, the command earned the Navy’s Retention Excellence Award in 2009 and 2010. In 2012, the command won the Project Good Neighbor Flagship in the Large Shore Category Region for Naval District Washington.
Additional achievements include winning the 2013 Campaign Drug Free Flagship for the Large Shore Category Region for Naval District Washington, the 2013 World of Thanks Award from Naval District Washington, the 2013 Presidential Call to Action (Command-level PVSA), the 2013 Fort Meade Volunteer Unit of the Year and the Fort Meade Garrison Unit of the Year Award.