New Commanding Officer Takes Helm of ONI's Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center

From Office of Naval Intelligence Public Affairs

SUITLAND, Md (NNS) -- The Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center changed hands Dec. 15 during a change of command ceremony at the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI).

Capt. Copley relieved Capt. Doug Peabody as Commanding Officer, and is the fourth commanding officer to lead the Kennedy Center, an Echelon III Command established in 2009.

The center is responsible for delivering maritime intelligence and operational support to the Navy, Department of Defense, national decision makers, Naval Special Warfare (NSW) and Navy Expeditionary Warfare Command (NECC).

A 1988 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Copley has served in 10 intelligence assignments at sea and ashore, most recently at the Center of Naval Intelligence, where he developed the course curriculum for the Advanced Maritime Operational Intelligence Course.

"I am excited to join this team of professionals because you are engaged forward, defending our nation," Copley told members of the Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center. "Our operational forces depend on the products and services you provide. Our mission is not easy, nor one where many will say 'thanks,' but rest assured knowing that when our naval forces are successful, we are successful."

Upon taking leave of the Kennedy Center, Peabody was awarded the Legion of Merit. He thanked the men and women of the command for their diligence and devotion.

"Most people will never know everything these analysts have done or been involved with," said Peabody. "No matter what the churn is around us, the mission is our focus."

Capt. Robert Rupp, commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence, emphasized the vital role the Kennedy Center plays in meeting the Navy's global challenges.

"It is your task to help the United States Navy control and protect the seas," said Rupp. "Whether Kennedy Center personnel are operating deep within a contested area or providing exquisite intelligence from here at ONI, Sailors will be operating forward, and they will depend on the Kennedy Center's deep knowledge of the adversary and deep understanding of the operating environment."

At the ceremony's conclusion, Copley formally assumed command of the Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center, opening a new chapter in the long history of ONI.

Established in 1882, the Office of Naval Intelligence is the nation's longest-serving intelligence agency.

Office of Naval Intelligence Sailors Lend their Expertise to Area Schools

From Office of Naval Intelligence Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Sailors from the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) are volunteer at four schools throughout the year in the Washington, D.C. area to tutor students in academics, athletics and life skills.

"Our Sailors simply want to make a difference in the community and help kids stay on the right track," said ONI Command Master Chief Billy Hill.

In addition to tutoring in science, mathematics and reading comprehension, ONI Sailors serve as Science Fair judges, vocabulary and sports coaches, and mentors in self discipline, goal setting, teamwork and resisting negative peer pressure.

Volunteers are members of the ONI Chief Petty Officers Association, First Class Petty Officers Association and White Hats Association. Sailors visit the schools to work with students for one hour each week.

In all, approximately 100 Sailors take part in the program and other community activities in the vicinity of ONI's headquarters.

"Our Sailors take a great deal of pleasure and pride in helping to start some wonderful kids down the road to success," said Hill. "I'm glad we are able to make a difference in their formative years."

New Director of Naval Intelligence Tours Intel Training

By Lt. j.g. Sergio Wooden, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy's new Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) for Information Dominance got a firsthand look at the Navy's intelligence training in Virginia Beach, Va., June 8.

Vice Adm. Kendall Card received a briefing from Capt. Donald Darnell Jr., commanding officer for the Center for Naval Intelligence (CENNAVINTEL) and the Navy and Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center (NMITC). They also discussed training, career continuums, the future of the intelligence community and its role in information dominance.

After the briefing, Card toured the NMITC facilities, as well as the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Counterintelligence-Human Intelligence (CI/HUMINT) training complex, located at Naval Air Station Oceana's Dam Neck Annex. While there he received a detailed briefing on Navy and Marine Corps training and toured the mock third-world village used to provide realism to the course.

"It was an honor and privilege to host the new DNI. We were able to talk to him about our training, future initiatives and introduce him to many of our world-class instructors," remarked Darnell.

The Center for Naval Intelligence (CENNAVINTEL) develops and delivers training for Naval intelligence professionals who support maritime, expeditionary and joint forces world-wide. CENNAVINTEL and its component commands, Navy and Marine Intelligence Training Command (NMITC) and Fleet Intelligence Training Command (FITC), develop and deliver basic and advanced intelligence training, intelligence systems and technologies.

This Day in Naval History - March 23

From the Navy News Service

1815 - USS Hornet captures HMS Penguin in a battle lasting 22 minutes.

1882 - The Secretary of the Navy, William H. Hunt, issues General Order No. 292, creating the Office of Naval Intelligence.

1917 - USS New Mexico (BB 40) is launched as the first dreadnought with turboelectric drive.

1945 - Carriers begin pre-assault strikes on Okinawa; kamikaze attacks follow.

1958 - Simulated Polaris missile is launched from a submerged tactical launcher facility off California.

1965 - Lt. Cmdr. John W. Young, pilot of Gemini 3, completes three orbits in four hours, 53 minutes, at an altitude of 224 km. Recovery was by helicopters from USS Intrepid (CVS 11).