Vice Admiral John Wade, Commander, Third Fleet, presided over the ceremony. “I have known Rear Admiral Okano for many years now. This is the fourth change of command as she steps into Rear Admiral Small’s shoes,” he said. “There is no better person to maintain and increase the momentum he has created with NAVWAR. I look forward to working with you and the NAVWAR team as we continue to build our capabilities.”
A native of Evanston, Illinois, Okano earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy. She then earned a master’s degree in aerospace systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, where she was selected to transfer to the engineering duty officer department in 2001. Her service includes gunnery and fire control officer and electrical officer on the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3), where she deployed to Somalia, and flag adjutant, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Okinawa, Japan. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, she served with Joint Crew Composite Squadron One in Tikrit, Iraq, to assist in the defusing of radio-guided explosive devices.
Okano also participated in several acquisition tours beginning at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center in San Diego; Missile Defense Agency, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System; Military Satellite Communications Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center; and Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, California.
Previously, she served as program manager for Integrated Warfare Systems in Washington, DC.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead this extraordinary organization that oversees our Navy’s information warfare capabilities day and night and fights every day to ‘dominate the area,'” Okano said. “We live in an era where information dominance is critical to national security. In this dynamic environment, our mission is clear: to deliver and sustain superior information warfare capabilities so our Navy can fight and win in the Information Age.”
As NAVWAR commander, Okano will oversee 11,000 civilian and military personnel who design, develop, and field advanced communications and information systems for the Department of the Navy. She will also lead Project Overmatch, a high-level initiative to deliver rapid integration systems and implement a new Navy operating architecture.
According to a recent economic report from the San Diego Military Advisory Council and the University of San Diego Knauss School of Business, NAVWAR’s total gross regional product in fiscal year 2022 was between $3.14 billion and $3.38 billion, with over 18,000 jobs created through both direct hire and contract labor. NAVWAR was also named the largest cyber employer in the San Diego region by the Cyber Center of Excellence, with nearly 3,500 jobs dedicated to the fast-growing field of cybersecurity.
“The incredible team of professionals that make up NAVWAR is central to our mission. Their expertise, dedication and commitment are the backbone of our operations,” Okano said. “We will continue to strengthen our partnerships within the Navy, with other branches of the armed forces, with our allies and with the private sector. By working together, we can harness the full power of our collective capabilities and stay one step ahead of emerging threats.”
After a nearly 40-year career in the Navy, Rear Admiral Small has officially retired from military service. During his four years at NAVWAR, strengthening the workforce was a constant priority. With reverse mentoring groups, Ask-Me-Anything events, and coffee klatches, Small was always interested in hearing from employees and maintaining an open dialogue to create positive change in the command. Under his leadership, NAVWAR was named the Navy’s Best Employer in the 2023 Federal Government Best Employers rankings, reflecting his emphasis on employee engagement. Under direct orders from the Chief of Naval Operations, he also founded the Project Overmatch team, bringing together experts from across the Navy to support this top priority.
“The maritime domain is growing in importance and so is our Navy. To ensure peace and prosperity and prevent conflict, we must be in a position of strength. Part of that important work is ensuring our systems are integrated. That has been Rear Admiral Small’s primary mission throughout his career,” Wade said. “I want to thank him for his leadership, management and technical expertise over the years, all of which have become increasingly complex and profound.”
Wade presented Small with the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his exceptional service to the United States as NAVWAR commander, where his pioneering leadership resulted in the delivery of more capable cutting-edge technology systems. The award was presented on behalf of the President of the United States and the Secretary of the Navy. Wade also presented the NAVWAR workforce with a Meritorious Unit
Commendation from the Secretary of the Navy in recognition of her outstanding achievements in providing unprecedented enhancements to the critical combat capability of the fleet.
“I want to thank the entire NAVWAR workforce. We have been through a lot together and it has been an honor to serve as your commander,” said Small. “Be proud of the great work you do here and stay true to the mission together. You are in good hands with Rear Admiral Okano and I can’t wait to see what you all will accomplish.”
About NAVWAR:
NAVWAR identifies, develops, delivers and sustains information warfare capabilities and services that enable naval, joint, coalition and other national missions in warfare zones from the seafloor to outer space and through cyberspace. NAVWAR is comprised of more than 11,000 civilian, active and reserve professionals around the world.
