Colt Williams, son of Greg and Tara Williams, is a member of the First Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group. They became the first of its kind to specialize in electronic warfare.As such, the group is tasked with countering the enemy’s ability to exploit the digital information environment, capitalize on social media and defend against cyber attacks.
“In the past, the group’s primary mission has been moving and supporting Marines as they go forward to command forces in theater,” Shea said. “Now, we’re going to divest ourselves of the logistics mission and give it to a support battalion,” said Brigadier General Bobbi Shea, commander of the newly-designated First MEF Information Group. Our headquarters will transform to a headquarters dedicated to enable our commanders to fight and win in the information environment.”
She said that will be accomplished by putting Marines trained in intelligence gathering and electronic warfare in closer contact with commanders and troops on the ground.
“This means degrading the enemy’s ability to exploit the information environment, capitalizing on social media and defending our abilities against cyber hacks we’ve become vulnerable to,” Shea said. “We want to make sure our commanders and units in the battlefield can take advantage of those networks and tools we provide them. We want to synchronize and integrate all those capabilities across the battle space.”
Shea pointed to such examples as the use of drones, law enforcement Marines picking up fingerprints or exploiting found cellphones on the battlefield, and imagery analysts gathering information from satellites.
Among the changes that are part of the transition are new Marine personnel, increased intelligence and cyberspace training, and a move to new facilities on the base.
In April, Camp Pendleton held the Advanced Technology Exercise 2017 — a collaborative technology expo conducted by the Department of the Navy. The inaugural event showcased dozens of emerging technologies to give Marines and sailors the upper hand in fighting the next generation of wars.
Williams, a marine Corporal, graduated from Henryetta high school in 2013. He enlisted in the Marines May 10, 2015.