Cmdr. J. Allan Towns
Commanding Officer, Cryptologic Warfare Maritime Activity SIXTY ONE
13 June 2023
A Missouri native, Cmdr. J. Allan Towns began his service in 1991 as an enlisted Electronic Warfare (EW) technician, eventually becoming a Chief Petty Officer. In 2006, he was commissioned as a Limited Duty Officer and was subsequently selected as a restricted line officer in Cryptology in 2011. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and a Master of Arts in Defense and Strategic Studies focusing on Eurasia.
His operational tours include service as an EW technician aboard
USS Barry (DDG 52); as EW Leading Chief Petty Officer aboard
USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81 ); as Assistant EW Officer for
the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8 embarked on USS
Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69); as Ship's Signals Exploitation
Space Division Officer aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); and as
Cryptologic Resource Coordinator for the staff of Commander, Carrier Strike Group 4 (CSG 4). He has deployed in support of operations Sharp Guard, Deny Flight, Southern Watch, and Iraqi Freedom in various roles that include Combat Systems, Air Defense, and Surface Warfare Coordinators; Tactical Action Officer; and Common Tactical Picture Officer for Commander, Amphibious Squadron 4 (CPR 4) of Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and Commander, Task Force 50 (CTF 50).
Ashore, Cmdr. Towns served as EW "A" school instructor and Master Training Specialist at Naval Technical Training Center Corry Station, Pensacola, FL; as a Resource Mission Manager and Operations Officer for Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Colorado at the Aerospace Data Facility, Buckley Air Force Base; as the Cryptologist for Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic where he managed afloat Cryptologic and EW readiness for all of naval aviation; as the Cryptologic Warfare Junior Officer Detailer for Navy Personnel Command, Millington, TN; as the Executive Officer for Information Warfare Training Command San Diego, San Diego, CA; and currently as the Integrated Fires Director for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet where he leads the Tomahawk Strike and Mission Planning Cell and all maritime Information Operations activities.
In addition to various campaign, service, and unit awards, Cmdr. Towns' personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal (four awards).