Navy picks leader for maritime intelligence center

Navy Rear Adm. Samuel Cox has been assigned as the director of the National Maritime Intelligence Center, headquartered in Suitland, Md.

Cox will oversee the center, which connects several U.S. military intelligence operations, including those of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. NMIC serves as home base for the Office of Naval Intelligence, the Naval Information Warfare Activity offices, the Marine Corps Intelligence Activity and the Coast Intelligence Coordination Center.

NMIC is a key player in worldwide joint and combat operations and employs active duty, reserve and civilian personnel. The command also supports naval acquisitions by providing scientific and technical analysis of naval weapons systems, and is a major component in securing and defending the United States against seaborne threats.

Cox currently is director of plans and policy and of Fleet Intelligence for Commander at the Naval Network Warfare Command, in Norfolk, Va. NETWARCOM’s intelligence office acts as an advocate in developing and fielding fleet intelligence systems and oversees integration and synchronization of intelligence in naval manpower, equipment and training. Fleet Intelligence also ensures that information operations, networks and space capabilities in the Navy are in sync.

In the past, Cox has worked in joint duty assignments as officer-in-charge, U.S. Atlantic Joint Intelligence Center, during Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti; flag secretary for Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic/commander-in-chief, U.S. Atlantic Command; and commander, Joint Intelligence Center for U.S. Central Command, supporting combat and crisis operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cox graduated from the Naval Academy with honors in 1980, and has been awarded with the Defense Superior Service award twice, the Legion of Merit award twice and a Bronze Star. He was the 2001 recipient of the Navy League of the U.S. Naval Intelligence Foundation Award for excellence in operational intelligence support to the Fleet, according to his bio.