RI National Guard Opens $5-Million Cyber-Warfare Facility in Quonset

The fight against cyberwarfare just got a $5-million boost in the Ocean State. The Rhode Island National Guard recently opening its newest facility, a $5-million building, to help strengthen the nation's cyber defense.

"This facility marks the Rhode Island Air National Guard as a key player in the burgeoning world of cyber-warfare," said Major General Kevin McBride, adjutant general of Rhode Island and commanding general of the Rhode Island Air National Guard.

The Special Operations Training Facility, located at the Quonset Air National Guard Base, is a 14,000 square-foot building, providing ample work space for the 102nd Network Warfare Squadron (a unit of the Air National Guard specializing in cyber defense). The 102nd NWS squadron was one of of the Air Force's first cyber-defense units after its formation in 2003.

More than half of the building's space is dedicated as a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), allowing National Guardsmen to perform duties in a secure and classified environment.