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Keystone Awards Presented

SUMMARY

Winners of the Keystone Awards for linguistic accomplishments are announced. One of the winners was regularly called upon to verify and identify Saddam Hussein's voice communications.

DOCUMENT’S DATE

Jun 21, 2004

PUBLICLY AVAILABLE

Feb 05, 2018

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Page 1 from Keystone Awards Presented
DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL (U) Keystone Awards Presented FROM: SIGINT Communications Unknown Run Date: 06/21/2004 FROM: SIGINT Communications Unknown (U) Twice a year the prestigious Keystone Award is presented to an elite few who demonstrate unique linguistic achivements, have made exceptional target contributions and had high productivity over the previous 12-18 months. As you read the accomplishments of the current honorees you will agree that they have indeed fulfilled those requirements: (C) continues to hone his already formidable skills in the Uzbek and Uighur languages by taking advanced training at external language schools. In addition to these languages, commands native-level fluency in French, a mastery of Turkish, Turkmen and Russian, and considerable expertise in Kazakh and Kyrgyz, and--unique to the U.S. Government--skills in lesser-known languages such as Bashkir, Tatar, Karakalpak, and the historical precursors of the modern-day Turkic languages. is recognized throughout the entire IC for his linguistic expertise in all of these languages. (TS//SI) , over the past 18 months, almost single-handedly enabled the U.S. Government to gain a unique insight into a group of Algerian extremists primarily affiliated with a terrorist group referred to as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). unyielding determination to prosecute this target has brought high praise to the Agency and the Office of Counterterrorism. (TS//SI) , a senior Persian Farsi Linguist at the Gordon Regional Security Center, has made -- through his own initiative -- significant and unique contributions. He spearheaded the National-Tactical Integration greatly contributing to the division's and the station's success during the high OPTEMPO (operational tempo) periods. He is recognized as the ideal linguist, trainer and mentor throughout the National Security Community. (TS//SI) , throughout the campaign, was one of only three GRSOC linguists selected to maintain constant contact with Special Operations Forces deployed inside Iraq, supplying them with technical and linguistic support as required. He supplied vital real-time linguistic support, surpassing all previously established strategic/tactical operating procedures. This was a first for the GRSOC Iraqi Division. (TS//SI) , a Senior Arabic Linguist at the GRSOC, was selected to accompany the UNSCOM 89 chemical inspection team into Iraq. He has been regularly called upon to verify and identify voice communications, including those of Saddam Hussein. confirmed Hussein was alive following strikes against his suspected locations. He also played a crucial role in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, in the targeting and bombing of a major al-Qa'ida forward-deployed site. (U) Congratulations to the award winners! "(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)." DYNAMIC PAGE -- HIGHEST POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION IS
Page 2 from Keystone Awards Presented
TOP SECRET // SI / TK // REL TO USA AUS CAN GBR NZL DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108