No threat facing America has grown as fast as the danger from cyberattacks. Defending our nation against malicious cyber actors in a constantly evolving global landscape is the priority of U.S. Cyber Command (CYBERCOM). Despite the global challenges, CYBERCOM’s call to action is to “Own the Domain.” Its commander, General Paul M. Nakasone, coined this call to action and leads our nation’s cyberspace planning and operations to deliver a warfighting advantage to our allies and partners. Minnesotans’ Military Appreciation Fund is honored to welcome General Nakasone as the keynote speaker of its 2023 Fundraising Dinner.
General Nakasone assumed his present duties as Commander, U.S. Cyber Command and Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service in 2018. He previously commanded U.S. Army Cyber Command (2016 – 2018). He has held command and staff positions across all levels of the Army with assignments in the United States, Republic of Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan.
General Nakasone commanded the Cyber National Mission Force at U.S. Cyber Command and has served in Joint and U.S. Army assignments in the United States and overseas. General Nakasone has also served on two occasions as a staff officer on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
A native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, General Nakasone is a graduate of St. John’s University, where he received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, the Command and General Staff College and Defense Intelligence College. He holds graduate degrees from the U.S. Army War College, the National Defense Intelligence College and the University of Southern California.
Joining General Nakasone will be U.S. Air Force Major Katie Lunning of the 133rd Medical Group, based out of Minneapolis. Major Lunning is the Officer in Charge of the Critical Air Transport Team as well as Chief Nurse for the 133rd Medical Group. Major Lunning began her military career in 2002 by enlisting in the Minnesota Air National Guard as a Health Service Management Apprentice. She then took an opportunity to serve as a Recruiting and Retention NCO in the Minnesota Army National Guard, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, before returning to the Air National Guard in 2009 and was commissioned as an officer in 2013.
From July to October 2021, Major Lunning deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. During Operation Allies Refuge, Major Lunning played an integral part of the evacuation of multination and U.S. service member casualties as Critical Care Air Transport Team Nurse. Major Lunning was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for aerial achievement during the triage and evacuation after the suicide bomber in Kabul on August 26, 2021.
Please join us for an informative, patriotic evening. To date, MMAF has provided more than $13.2 million in grants to over 19,600 Minnesota service members. With your support at this event, we can continue making a difference in the lives of our Minnesota troops and their families. 100% of the money raised will go directly to Minnesota service members and their families.
We appreciate those individuals and corporations who continue to support MMAF by purchasing tables and tickets to the annual dinner. One hundred percent of funds raised at the dinner go directly to Minnesota troops and their families thanks to underwriting by the main event sponsor, Sit Investment Associates.
