Third Echelon (Earth-5082)

"Let Vigilance Be Our Sword."

- - Third Echelon's motto

Third Echelon, often abbreviated as 3ECH and 3E, was a highly classified sub-branch of the National Security Agency founded in 1953, becoming of critical importance for the United States during the Cold War and the War on Terror. After Irving Lambert died, Third Echelon was plagued by widespread corruption under the administration of Tom Reed, which, after his death, ultimately led to the agency's downfall and its replacement by Fourth Echelon.