Chesterfield native battles cyber threats for U.S. Navy

By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach

FORT MEADE, Md. - Lt. Cmdr. William Fleming, a native of Chesterfield, Missouri, protects America from cyber threats as a member of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class

Amber A. Weingart, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Information technology advances at a staggering pace. Practically all major systems on ships, aircraft, submarines, and unmanned vehicles are networked to some degree. This includes most combat, communications, engineering, and navigation systems.  While connectivity provides the military with speed, agility, and precision, it also opens numerous attack opportunities for adept cyber adversaries.

Fleming attended Parkway West High School and graduated in 2003. Today, Fleming uses skills and values similar to those learned in Chesterfield.

“I learned to work hard and study,” said Fleming.  “The hard work and study I put in throughout high school and college have directly prepared me for the highly technical job I perform today.”

Today, Fleming plays a crucial role in defending against cyber threats in support of the command’s mission to collect, analyze and report on communication signals using computers, specialized computer-assisted equipment, and video display terminals.

According to Navy officials, networks are under continuous threats of attack by a broad array of state actors, terrorist organizations, ‘hacktivist’ groups, organized crime, and individual hackers. Motivations include personal gain, information theft, discrediting the United States, sabotage, political gain, denial or degradation of the Navy’s access to cyberspace.

“As leaders and experts in Information Warfare, our sailors and civilians are at the forefront of disrupting the ability of bad actors to execute their plans, which often degrade U.S. interests,” said Vice Admiral Ross Myers, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S. 10th Fleet. “Because of our workforce and their world class skills and dedication to service, today’s Navy has the agility, tactical skills, advanced technologies and innovative mindset to succeed. Alongside our sister services, Fleet Cyber Command is on the frontlines to thwart malicious efforts in cyberspace – we are engaged against adversaries, around the globe and around the clock – 24/7/365.”

That’s why the work being done by Fleming is so important.

Serving in the Navy means Fleming is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

“The Navy’s maritime forces contribute heavily to a free global economy and deter our adversaries from aggressive actions against our homeland,” said Fleming.

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Fleming and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“I’m proud to be accepted into the Navy Cyber Warfare Engineering community which is a small, tight-knit group of experts,” said Fleming. “The only way to join this community is to demonstrate a deep technical knowledge. It has been the honor of my life to help shape this growing community.”

As Fleming and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“I get to do very interesting work that contributes to our national security,” said Fleming. “I also get to see a lot more of the world and the geopolitics outside my line of work.”

“Both of my parents were in the Navy,” added Fleming. “My father was a pilot and my mother was a nurse. My grandfather was in the Army Air Corps, one of my brothers served as a Marine and the other is in the Navy. Even though I joined a different field, I think the culture of service was a strong call.”