Cyber Operations Systems Admin
Master Sergeant Nathan M. Byrd, United States Air Force, distinguished himself by exceptional meritorious service as Section Chief, Cyberspace Operations Division, Operations Directorate, Headquarters United States Southern Command, from 19 August 2016 to 13 September 2019. Sergeant Byrd's remarkable leadership, consummate professionalism, and technical proficiency resulted in the transformation of an understaffed Joint Cyber Center into US Southern Command's first ever Cyber Command and Control Operations Center, delivering integrated non-kinetic and non-lethal effect into the physical domain. Sergeant Byrd defined the nexus between cyberspace and operational readiness, validated seventy four operational requirements, trained 14 operators, and integrated cyber into the Combatant Command's mission by improving situational awareness in the cyberspace domain. His efforts provided consequence response and recovery support within the Southern Command area of responsibility. Additionally, he led cyberspace effect for twelve Joint operation exercises, met 100 percent of all training objectives and ensured cyber actions were synchronized across the air, land, sea, and space domains. Moreover, during his tenure as the division's Information Technology Officer, he directed two office relocations, the installation of first common operating picture, and managed over 600,000 dollars in equipment and division resources. Furthermore, he orchestrated the planning and execution of the command's annual Joint Cyberspace Operations Planners Course, increasing command cyber planning expertise by sixty percent for 93 individuals across five components and three Joint Task Forces. Through his distinctive accomplishments, Sergeant Byrd reflected great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense.
Staff Sergeant Seth T. Di Amore distinguished himself by outstanding achievement as the Cyber Operations Lead Systems Admin, 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, 449th Air Expeditionary Group, 406th Air Expeditionary Wing, Chabelley Airfield, and Republic of Djibouti. During this period, Staff Sergeant Di Amore was the installation's lead systems admin for all TACnet classified and unclassified network systems supporting more than 400 mission essential accounts. He maintained all network based services for Air operations in support of two 24/7 Air Operations Centers and 27 AFSCs in support of three CCDMs and Operation OCTAVE SHIELD. In addition, he resolved 12 network outages, restoring operations and critical mission capabilities and communications systems, ensuring 99% uptime, and allowing key intelligence missions to continue uninterrupted. Moreover, his efforts facilitated 46,171 flying hours, 2,645 sorties, and 15 EKIA, including six high value targets during the Horn of Africa's largest armed, intelligence and surveillance MQ-9 mission. Additionally, he was the account custodian for all technical assets at Chabelley, updating records previously not completed in more than three years, identifying and repurposing more than 1.1 million dollars in Air Force assets previously unknown and unutilized. Furthermore, he responded to the loss of an MQ-9 ground control station's secure voice capability during a live mission, and provided and loaded cryptographic keys, restoring joint strike capabilities for the United States, British, and key allies in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect key maritime trade routes. Finally, Sergeant Di Amore provided crucial cable installation essential for reliable communication infrastructure for implementation of Africa's largest missile defense system protecting more than 7,000 United States and 22,000 allied military personnel across 10 bases. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Di Amore reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
