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The enlisted crew of the littoral combat ship USS Manchester maintained an illegal onboard Wi-Fi network for months before it was discovered by civilian technicians.
In what could be one of the boldest incidents of the threats posed by individuals using unauthorised devices on an organisation’s network, a US Navy report has revealed the details of a plot to install and manage an illegal Starlink Wi-Fi network on board a combat vessel while deployed.
The report, seen by the Navy Times, outlines the plans by the ship’s senior enlisted crew to purchase, install, manage, and ultimately attempt to hide the network from junior crew and superior officers alike.
The ship’s senior chief, Command Senior Chief Grisel Marrero, conspired with other chiefs aboard the USS Manchester (pictured) to install the network prior to a deployment to the west Pacific in April 2023.
The Starlink dish was secretly installed on the Independence Class vessel’s weather deck, where it was relatively out of view. The network was initially named “STINKY”, but it was later renamed to appear to be a wireless printer – despite there being no such devices aboard.
As rumours began to circulate among the wider crew, senior officers approached CSC Marrero, who repeatedly lied about its existence.
For obvious reasons, the US Navy limits internet access while on deployment, but the ship’s senior enlisted crew used the network to send messages home, stream media, and keep track of sports scores.
The Starlink dish wasn’t discovered until a civilian technician, installing a Starshield satellite communication system, noted the device and reported it to a senior crew member. The dish was removed; however, CSC Marrero again lied about the device, claiming that it was authorised and only for use in port.
When the USS Manchester’s commanding officer finally learnt of the existence of the network on 24 August, she confronted Marrero, who provided doctored usage logs in an attempt to trick the CO into believing the network was, in fact, only used while docked. The CO continued to be suspicious, however, and Marrero finally admitted, on 26 August, that the network had been in use while deployed.
In total, 15 other chiefs were aware of the network.
“This agreement was a criminal conspiracy, supported by the overt act of bringing the purchased Starlink onboard USS MANCHESTER,” the Navy concluded in its investigation. “Any new member of the CPO Mess which then paid into the services joined that conspiracy following the system’s operational status.
“The installation and usage of Starlink, without the approval of higher headquarters, poses a serious risk to mission, operational security, and information security.”
Marrero was court-martialled earlier this year and reduced in rank.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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