Jindal plans $50M for area's Cyber Command
BYLINE: John Andrew Prime
BOSSIER CITY Saying cementing Louisiana's place in the cyber future is one of his top priorities, Gov. Bobby Jindal on Monday pledged a special session of the Legislature to spend the state's surplus, with its promise of $50 million to the Cyber Innovation Center topping his list.
"We're going to have a second special session to spend the state surplus," Jindal said at the center's groundbreaking. "The first $50 million we'll spend out of that surplus, my commitment to you, will be for the Cyber Command, right here.
"Cyber Command has been a priority for Bossier, for Shreveport, for BPCC (Bossier Parish Community College), for LSU, for (Louisiana) Tech, for Grambling, for northwest Louisiana as a region. Cyber Command is also a priority for our state. It's also a priority for our nation."
Jindal led the parade of dignitaries at the two-stage ceremony that started under a tent set up at the boundary of the center's 64 acres just east of Bossier Parish Community College, then moved inside the college's Culinary School building.
The groundbreaking marked the start of construction of the Cyber Innovation Center, anchor of what now is being called the National Cyber Research Park. The first building, a 120,000-square-foot structure, should be completed by October 2009, the planned date for Cyber Command to be fully operational.
Much of the talk praised Barksdale Air Force Base and the 75-year relationship it has forged with the civilian community. Some of the talk seemed to focus more on the military Cyber Command at Barksdale, as opposed to the civilian- and local/state government-funded Cyber Innovation Center that was the focus of Monday's turf-turning.
Joining Jindal and the mayors of Shreveport and Bossier City as a speaker was Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder, commander of 8th Air Force and architect of the gestation of Air Force Cyber Command, now forming at the base.
Elder noted that the 20th century was marked by the development of air and space and avenues of both commerce and defense, and said this century, so far, is being shaped by cyberspace.
"We look forward to partnering with the Cyber Innovation Center. We know the opportunities for the innovative use of cyber in the civilian sectors are virtually endless, and we want to apply this innovation to benefit our national security," he said.
The center is intended to provide a civilian and industrial complement to Cyber Command.
As usual, much of the speculation and talk was about the current provisional status of Cyber Command at Barksdale, even as more communities join the list of those wanting it for their area. The latest entry there is Hampton, Va., which has just started a Web site to boost its efforts. Besides Louisiana and Virginia, suitors include New Mexico, California, Texas and Nebraska.
Jindal said he's spoken with both President George W. Bush and Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne about Barksdale and Cyber Command but rather than stressing politics has pressed the suitability of the base for the role it already largely has.
One sign that Cyber Command is permeating the national consciousness came through a surprise announcement. Elder and provisional Air Force Cyber Command's leader, Maj. Gen. William Lord, have been interviewed by Rolling Stone{dc/Idc} magazine and will be featured in an upcoming issue.
Elder, who is highly regarded in musical circles for his abilities as a drummer, never figured he'd make it into Rolling Stone{dc/Idc}, at least not this way.
"I always wanted to get into the Journal of Electronic Defense{dc/Idc}," he said.