Navy Rear Adm. Robert Sharp, a special assistant to the commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence, has been chosen to lead the organization that works to manage U.S. strategic, operational and tactical maritime data.
The Navy will also assign him as director of the National Maritime Intelligence Integration Office, the Defense Department said Friday.
As ONI commander, he will supervise the organization’s active-duty, reserve and civilian personnel who collect and disseminate intelligence related to the proliferation of naval weapons as well as transnational maritime threats and activities to the Navy, joint military forces and government agencies.
He will also oversee NMIO‘s efforts to identify and address challenges to maritime threat information sharing between U.S. intelligence agencies and partner organizations globally.
The 28-year military veteran previously directed intelligence activities at the U.S. Special Operations Command, the U.S. Central Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, the Naval Forces Central Command’s Maritime Operations Center and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.
Sharp also led an interagency team of intelligence professionals for the Navy’s special operations task force during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.