U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Seiko Okano relieved Rear Adm. Doug Small as commander of the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, or NAVWAR, in a ceremony earlier today (Aug. 9).
Okano assumes command over a team of 11,000 personnel and a high-priority initiative, Project Overmatch, aimed at advancing naval operating architectures.
At the same time, the Navy is negotiating a deal with Manchester Financial Group and Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate to rebuild its headquarters at NAVWAR’s Old Town campus. The plan would increase density on the site, adding commercial, mixed-use development. The redevelopment would be along the lines of the Navy Broadway Complex in downtown San Diego, where a biotech campus and hotel will join a Navy office building.
Okano is a native of Evanston, Illinois and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy where she earned a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. From there, she earned a master’s degree in space systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Her last command was program executive officer for Integrated Warfare Systems in Washington, D.C.
The Friday ceremony also marked Small’s retirement from the Navy after nearly 40 years of service.
