In a sweeping overhaul of its high-tech command structure, the U.S. Navy has officially disestablished its Information Warfare (IW) directorate, effectively dissolving the office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, known as N2N6. This systemic shift, effective today, signals that information warfare has moved beyond a specialized niche to become a core, integrated warfighting domain embedded at every level of naval operations.
A Trifecta of Command: Breaking Down the N2/N6 Legacy
The Navy is replacing the centralized N2/N6 model with three specialized organizations, designed to sharpen the fleet’s edge in intelligence and digital combat. Leading the new OPNAV Intelligence Division (N2) is Steve Parode, a retired rear admiral whose deep roots in naval intelligence will now oversee fleet requirements, threat analysis, and global operations. This transition ensures that intelligence is no longer siloed but is instead a direct driver of strategic integration across the sea service.
The Digital Vanguard: Policy and Cyber Sovereignty
Taking charge of the policy and technical backbone is Jennifer Edgin, appointed as the Assistant DCNO for IW Requirements and Capabilities (N6N9C). Serving as the top advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations on IT, space, and cyber matters, Edgin will also bridge the gap between operational needs and administrative oversight as the Department of the Navy’s deputy chief information officer. This dual role underscores the Navy’s commitment to treating cyber and space as inseparable components of modern maritime dominance.
N99: Consolidating the IW Portfolio for the Modern Battlefield
The most expansive arm of this reorganization is the newly minted Directorate for IW (N99), led by Rear Adm. Susan Bryer Joyner. This office will serve as the master architect for IW resource sponsorship, managing a vast portfolio that includes everything from electronic warfare and cyber networks to oceanography and Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3).
With six specialized branches focusing on tactical networks, integrated fires, and future capabilities, N99 is tasked with ensuring that every sensor and weapon system is backed by a robust, secure, and resilient information infrastructure. This move mirrors a wider trend within the U.S. military to de-clutter intelligence and network commands, ensuring that the Navy remains agile enough to counter emerging threats in an increasingly digital theater of war.
