Gen. Paul Nakasone Hands CYBERCOM, NSA Leadership to Gen. Timothy Haugh

U.S. Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh assumed leadership of the U.S. Cyber Command during a change of command ceremony Friday at Fort Meade in Maryland, taking over from U.S. Army Gen. Paul Nakasone.

Haugh, a 2024 Wash100 awardee, also became the director of the National Security Agency and the chief of the Central Security Service, the Department of Defense said Saturday.

Haugh told attendees that his term will be defined by “people, innovation and partnerships.” He added that CYBERCOM and the NSA will continue to develop new technologies because doing so is integral to an “enduring advantage.”

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, another 2024 Wash100 winner, presided over the CYBERCOM change of command, while Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines oversaw the transition of NSA and CSS leadership.

U.S. Navy Adm. Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also attended the event. Grady credited Nakasone for leading during the COVID-19 pandemic, growing cyber operations across all domains, accelerating CYBERCOM’s agility and connecting with partners, including the private sector.