Familiar face returns to Cyber Command

After two years as commanding general of the Army's Intelligence and Security Command, Maj. Gen. George J. Franz III is heading back to Cyber Command, where he will be director of operations, the Pentagon announced.

Franz was previously commander of the Cyber National Mission Force at U.S. Cyber Command in Fort Meade, where his work earned him a 2014 Federal 100 award.

Franz returns to Cyber Command at a time when the command is stepping up efforts to hack the Islamic State terrorist group in Iraq and Syria. His previous battlefield experience in Iraq and Afghanistan could come in handy in that regard.

Franz's replacement at INSCOM is Maj. Gen. Christopher Ballard, who did a stint at Army Cyber Command from 2012 to 2013. The command, based at Fort Belvoir, Va., is a main Army hub for information security and intelligence operations.

The Pentagon also recently reassigned Rear Adm. Kevin Kovacich to be director of plans and policy at Cyber Command. Kovacich previously held that same position for U.S. Africa Command. He has a managerial background, having worked as a certified public accountant before joining the Navy over 30 years ago.