Navy Reorganizes Information Warfare Leadership into Three New Directorates

Washington — The Navy has dissolved its information warfare directorate, redistributing its responsibilities within the Chief of Naval Operations’ office.

Effective immediately, the Navy has removed the duties and positions of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (N2N6).

“This restructuring is feasible due to a fundamental shift in mindset throughout the Navy, which now views information warfare as a critical warfighting domain across all levels,” the Navy’s administrative note stated.

Under the new structure, the Navy will create three organizations to support the information warfare functions formerly housed within N2/N6.

First, the Navy will create the Director of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations Intelligence Division (N2), to be headed by Steve Parode, a retired rear admiral who previously served as deputy director of naval intelligence. The division will comprise four branches: N21 (Fleet Requirements), N22 (Threat Analysis), N23 (Global Intelligence Operations and Engagements), and N2T (Strategic Integration).

The second change establishes an Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare Requirements and Capabilities (N6N9C), to be led by Jennifer Edgin, formerly the deputy N2/N6. This position will serve as the chief advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations on information warfare policy and related IT, space, and cyber matters, and will also act as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Department of the Navy.

The third establishment is the Director for Information Warfare (N99), led by Rear Admiral Susan Bryer Joyner. This role will oversee information warfare requirements and resource sponsorship across the Navy’s full IW portfolio, which includes tactical warfighting intelligence programs, electronic warfare, cyber, networks, space, oceanography, meteorology, positioning, navigation, and timing, Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3), as well as the Maritime Operations Center and Maritime Headquarters staffs.

The N99 will consist of six branches: N99C (C3 for Tactical and Enterprise Networks and NC3), N99E (Oceanography and Navigation), N99P (IW Resources and Manpower), N99Q (Intelligence Capabilities), N99W (Integrated IW Fires), and N99X (IW Future Capabilities).

This reorganization follows a similar trend observed in other services, such as the Air Force, which recently split its intelligence and networks functions in 2024.

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