U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Kurt Mole assumed command of the Fleet Information Warfare Command – Pacific (FIWCPAC) during a change of command ceremony at the Battleship Missouri Memorial, July 2. He relieved U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Nicholas Homan, becoming the third commander of FIWCPAC since its establishment in 2022.

U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT), served as the presiding officer and guest speaker.

Speaking to Homan’s contributions to the U.S. Navy forces in the theater, Koehler emphasized how integral his skills were in strengthening FIWCPAC’s position in the maritime domain.

“His efforts drove information warfare innovation across the theater, and increased combat effectiveness and lethality,” said Koehler. “They led directly to growing recognition of the importance of the cognitive domain, space domain, and cyber domain; all as part of credible  deterrence in competition, crisis, and conflict.”

Under Homan’s leadership, FIWCPAC became a driving force of the expansion of critical joint and international partnerships across information warfare capabilities, permanently integrating specialized planning elements for major theater exercises and activities. His leadership cemented FIWCPAC’s role as a leading command for information warfare in the region, enhancing joint force speed and maneuverability.

In addition to FIWCPAC, Homan served as PACFLT’s director, maritime information warfare (DMIW), serving as a principal advisor for the execution of information warfare activities within the maritime environment in the theater.

During the ceremony, Homan spoke directly to the heartbeat of the organization, emphasizing the contributions made by the members of the command.

“I also would draw your attention for a moment to the officers, civilians, Sailors and contractors in the crowd,” said Homan.  “They represent not only our FIWCPAC-DMIW team, but the strength of our nation.  In the end it is all about ‘the team’, and mission success is all about good leaders building and empowering great teams.”

Bringing extensive information warfare leadership back to where his career began in Pearl Harbor, Mole reports to FIWCPAC following a tour as deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber (Navy).

During his speech, Mole took a moment to share his enthusiasm for the mission ahead and the proficiency of the team he now leads.

“You are a highly professional team that is focused on all of the right things,” said Mole. “I commit myself to continue leading this team with all of my God-given strength, to move the ball down the field in ensuring that we are a combat-ready force.”

“We’ll do this by continuing to invest in our people, through leveraging the next generation of tools both in government and in industry, by partnering with other teammates at PACFLT, the other components, and with our allies and partners,” continued Mole. “We cannot deliver warfighting advantage by ourselves – it’s going to be a team effort – it’s going to be a challenge, but it’s a challenge I accept!”

In reference to Mole’s operational knowledge for the implementation of information warfare, Koehler spoke to the strength he will bring to the new position and the future of FIWCPAC’s contributions.

“With Kurt in command, FIWCPAC will continue to win the narrative, sequence kinetic and non-kinetic fires, and set the tone for joint and combined information warfare and operations in our theater for years to come,” said Koehler. “He will continue to set an example for information warfare and operations across the Navy.”

Established in 2022, FIWCPAC’s mission is to plan, coordinate, and direct information-related capabilities and effects within the region that support tactical and operational actions across the joint force. Its purpose is to combat non-kinetic aggression and false narratives from malign actors in the information domain.

From Fleet Information Warfare Command – Pacific Public Affairs

Featured image: U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, observes U.S. Rear Adm. Kurt Mole, incoming commander, Fleet Information Warfare Command – Pacific (FIWCPAC), right, relieve U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Nicholas Homan, outgoing commander, FIWCPAC, left, during the FIWCPAC change of command ceremony aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 2, 2026. Established in 2022, FIWCPAC’s mission is to plan, coordinate, and direct information-related capabilities and effects within the region that support tactical and operational actions across the joint force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Sypert)