Cryptologist Support Teams (CSTs)

In the Boston Marathon bombing, for example, where the bombs were detonated by remote control signals from a telephone, the data from cell phone towers within a twenty mile radius of the incident was analyzed and identified the specific phone calls.  Calls are stored by number calling and number called, just as they are show on your phone bill.

In his second tour in Afghanistan, where Hall socialized with the locals in shopping areas and cafes in 120 degree weather, “never in my wildest dreams” he said, did he expect to end up at Vanderberg Air Force Base.  Here he deals with input from spy satellites, communication satellites and other electronic support.  His instruments are tuned into all frequencies, and his job is to see where the recordings spike, just like a seismograph or an EKG.  This indicates usage.  “It may or may not be interesting,” Hall says.

All the signals on the Internet are there for everyone to read. “The safest way to stay “under the radar” of the Internet is never to hook up with the Internet.”

  How do you know, someone asked, if someone is checking up on you?  The answer, “You don’t’.”

  Hall works in the most basic intelligence unit, which gathers and processes information.  “My job” he says, “is to collect signals and make them intelligible, put them in an English text.”  Then higher grades at, say, captaincy level, decide if the information is worth pursuing, if it belongs to a terrorist network or not.

  That is a command decision, where it is analyzed and then passed on to the “customer”, which is usually a government agency.  “It is frustrating because we don’t know what impact our work has,” Hall says.