Today, Captain Jeff Scheidt was relieved by Captain Joe Johnson as Commodore of Cryptologic Warfare Group SIX (CWG-6). NIOC Maryland was redesignated as CWG-6. Simultaneously, three directorate within NIOC MD stood up as separate commands subordinate to CWG-6.  Captain Johnson’s biography follows:

Captain Joe J. Johnson, U.S. Navy
Commodore, Cryptologic Warfare Group SIX

Captain Johnson graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1992 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.  In February 1993, he reported to USS COWPENS (CG 63), homeported in San Diego.  Serving as Repair Officer and Communications Officer, he participated in Operation DESERT STORM / SOUTHERN WATCH in the Arabian Gulf, and deployed to the Western Pacific for stability operations after the death of North Korea’s leader, Kim Il Sung, and during Kim Jong Il’s transition to power.

Captain Johnson transitioned to the Cryptologic Warfare community in January 1996.  After attending the Cryptologic Division Officer Course in Pensacola, Florida, he reported to Naval Security Group Activity Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in August 1996.  He served as Fleet Electronic Support Department Head and Operations Officer.  During this tour, he deployed onboard USS WILLIAM H. BATES (SSN 680) and qualified as a submarine cryptologic direct support officer.

After graduating in September 2001 with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, Captain Johnson reported to the Naval Information Warfare Activity (now Navy Cryptologic Warfare Development Group), where he served as Advanced Projects Assistant Department Head and Program Manager for development of Command & Control and Information Warfare systems.

From December 2004 to December 2006, Captain Johnson served as Deputy Information Warfare Commander for Carrier Strike Group FIVE / Task Force SEVEN-ZERO, forward deployed onboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) in Yokosuka, Japan.  He completed five deployments in support of numerous presence operations and joint and combined exercises.

From January 2007 to January 2010, Captain Johnson served at National Security Agency / Central Security Service Hawaii as a Joint Operations Department Head.  He led Signals Intelligence analysis and reporting efforts in support of the Pacific Command’s highest priority intelligence requirements.

Captain Johnson served as the Chief of Information Operations on the U.S. SECOND Fleet staff in Norfolk, Virginia from February 2010 to September 2011.  He then served as Commanding Officer of Navy Expeditionary Intelligence Command from November 2011 to November 2013.

Captain Johnson next served as Deputy Chief, Office of East Asia and Pacific at the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, Maryland from March 2014 to May 2017.  During this tour, he completed a six-month deployment to Afghanistan, where he served as the Deputy Chief of NSA’s team and mission in support of Operations FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and RESOLUTE SUPPORT.

Captain Johnson’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards).

Captain Johnson’s wife, Holly, is also a 1992 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.  She retired from the Navy as a Civil Engineer Corps Commander in 2012.  They have one son and one daughter who both attend the University of Maryland.