Creating the COBRA Cyber On-Board Remediation Team

At COMSUBRON 19, Nathan created the Cyber On-Board Remediation Assistance team, or COBRA. The acronym described the team's mission while also drawing its memorable identity from the cobra featured in the squadron's logo. The name reflected the intended operating model as well: a small, experienced group able to respond quickly and decisively wherever cyber assistance was needed. Nathan organized experienced IT personnel into a mobile team that restored degraded networks, trained off-crews, and provided hands-on remediation and practical guidance. COBRA converted scarce expertise into a shared capability rather than waiting for the larger workforce pipeline to recover. The resulting approach helped the squadron maintain cybersecurity enforcement above contemporary Surface, Aviation, and Submarine Force averages while developing personnel across multiple operational units.

From 2021 through 2024 at COMSUBRON 19, Nathan supported multiple submarine crews facing uneven cyber readiness, degraded networks, and shortages of personnel prepared to perform both communications and information-technology responsibilities.

The squadron could not assign an experienced cyber specialist to every submarine, while disrupted training and cross-functional workforce gaps left some crews without enough practical support to restore networks and sustain required cybersecurity practices.

Nathan created COBRA, organized experienced IT personnel into a mobile assistance team, and directed them to restore degraded networks, train off-crews, provide hands-on remediation, explain requirements, and transfer knowledge so supported crews could solve future problems.

When expertise is scarce, leaders can multiply it by moving knowledgeable people to the need and making every intervention a teaching opportunity. Sustainable readiness comes from restoring the immediate capability while leaving more people able to maintain it.