NSA News & Highlights

May 31, 2016

NSA/CSS Cryptologic Memorial Wall Observance Honored 1960'€™s Era Cryptologic Heroes

FORT MEADE, Md. — On May 31, 2016, ADM Michael S. Rogers, USN, Director of National Security Agency / Chief of Central Security Service, honored the service and sacrifice of SP5 Timothy F. Powell Jr., USA, and of 2LT George P. Samples, USA, during the Agency's annual Cryptologic Memorial Wall Observance.

The Enigma Machine

May 23, 2016

NSA Releases Thousands of WWII-era Documents to National Archives

More than 29,000 pages of declassified material related to the World War II-era Target Intelligence Committee (TICOM) are now publicly available following a recent transfer from NSA to the National Archives and Records Administration.

During World War II, USCG Unit 387 (later OP-20-G) was augmented as part of the Navy, which happens during wartime, and served as a major cryptologic contributor to the nation. The unit worked to break Japanese merchant vessel codes to assist intelligence activities.

May 20, 2016

NSA celebrates Armed Forces Week with a look at a U.S. Coast Guard cryptologic achievement.

NSA celebrates Armed Forces Week with a look at a U.S. Coast Guard cryptologic achievement.

Since 1948, the Air Force has conducted cryptologic missions. From Airborne Radio Direction Finding in the Vietnam War to a continuous 25-year plus airborne Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) presence in Southwest Asia, the Air Force has had a cryptologic presence in every major conflict in its history. As a permanent fixture in the armed forces intelligence organization, our motto "Freedom Through Vigilance," epitomizes why ISR is a leading USAF core mission.

May 19, 2016

NSA celebrates Armed Forces Week with a look at a U.S. Air Force cryptologic achievement

NSA celebrates Armed Forces Week with a look at a U.S. Air Force cryptologic achievement.

During WWII, nearly 10,000 naval cryptologists deployed worldwide supporting every major campaign. The Battle of Midway in particular was pivotal: Due to the Navy's cryptologic endeavors, Admiral Nimitz knew that the Japanese attack on Midway would commence on 3 June. Armed with this crucial information, he was able to get his outgunned but determined force in position in time. On 4 June, the battled was finally joined. General George Marshall, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, in his comments on the victory, perhaps said it best: “… as a result of Cryptanalysis we were able to concentrate our limited forces to meet their naval advance on Midway when we otherwise would have been 3,000 miles out of place.”

May 18, 2016

NSA celebrates Armed Forces Week with a look at a U.S. Navy cryptologic achievement

NSA celebrates Armed Forces Week with a look at a U.S. Marine Corps cryptologic achievement.

May 18, 2016

NSA GenCyber Camps Triple In Offerings

FORT MEADE, Md. — After the success of 2015's 43 GenCyber summer camps, opportunities for 2016 have greatly expanded, with plans in the works for 133 summer camps across the nation, more than triple the number in 2015.

In May 1942, the Marines took over the work of code talkers, first recruiting 29 Native Americans. Ultimately, the Marine Corps settled on the Navajo language as they felt it would be more secure. In campaigns against the enemy on the many fronts, the Native American Code Talkers never made a mistake in transmission nor were their codes ever broken.

May 17, 2016

NSA celebrates Armed Forces Week with a look at a U.S. Marine Corps cryptologic achievement

NSA celebrates Armed Forces Week with a look at a U.S. Marine Corps cryptologic achievement.

Puzzle Periodical Logo

May 17, 2016

May 2016 Puzzle Periodical

Check out the May Puzzle Periodical to see if you can unlock the right answer for a birthday surprise.

In the years immediately preceding America's entry into World War I, the Army took its first steps into the world of cryptology. A young Army officer, Captain Parker Hitt, became interested in the subject while attending school at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After identifying issues within the Signal Corps cipher desk, he turned his attention to code solution. He later published the Manual for Solution of Military Ciphers, the first book devoted to cryptology ever published in the U.S.

May 16, 2016

NSA celebrates Armed Forces Week with a look at a U.S. Army cryptologic achievement.

NSA celebrates Armed Forces Week with a look at a U.S. Army cryptologic achievement.

Armed Forces Day & National Police week

May 12, 2016

Celebrate Armed Forces Day and National Police Week at the National Cryptologic Museum

On Saturday, May 21, 2016, NSA will celebrate Armed Forces Day and National Police Week with a fun family-centered event at the National Cryptologic Museum.