Capt. Kenny G. Smith
Commanding Officer, Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Texas
15 May 2025
A native of Illinois, Capt. Smith enlisted in the Navy in 1987. In 2000, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Management from Southern Illinois University. Capt. Smith received his commission from Officer Candidate School on May 11, 2001. He attended graduate school at Central Michigan University and earned an M.S. in Information Resource Management in 2003.
His operational tours include USS Shiloh (CG 67) in 1992, homeported in San Diego, Calif., as a duty electronics technician. In 2005, he reported aboard the USS Higgins (DDG 76) and served as the Information Warfare Officer. Duties assigned included serving as the Electronic Warfare Officer, Special Security Officer, and Operations Security Officer. In 2011, he reported to Commander, U.S. 3
rd Fleet as the IO Cell's Deputy Director. In his most recent sea tour, he was assigned to Commander, Carrier Strike Group NINE as the Flag Information Operations (IO) Officer, where he was responsible for leading and coordinating all IO efforts, including Cyberspace Operations and Electromagnetic Maneuver Warfare efforts. In 2023, he served as the Deputy Maritime Operations Center Director at U.S. Fleet Cyber Command / Navy Space Command. His responsibilities included leading a headquarters staff of 600 personnel and managing more than 16,000 personnel across nine global task forces to deliver operational effects.
Ashore, Capt. Smith was assigned to NAS Bermuda in 1989, where he served as a duty electronics technician. In 1994, he reported to Navy Recruiting District Los Angeles, serving as a Recruiter-In-Charge. Next, he reported to SEAL Team ONE in 1997, where he was assigned as the Leading Petty Officer of the Communication Technician shop. Following his commission, he reported to the National Security Agency in 2001, where he worked in the Information Warfare Support Center as a Targeting Support Action Officer. In 2007, he was assigned to Afloat Training Group San Diego as the Deputy Director of Combat Systems Training. In 2014, he was assigned to the Navy's Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence. His duties included integrating and incorporating fleet operational requirements into the acquisition of shipboard IO systems. Following an operational tour in 2018, he was assigned as Chief of the Cyber Analysis Group and the U.S. Navy Element Commanding Officer at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Joint Intelligence Operations Center. In 2021, he reported to Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Texas, as the Executive Officer and subsequently as the Commanding Officer and Commander of Task Force 1040. In 2025, he returned to NIOC Texas to serve as the Commanding Officer and Commander of Task Force 1040.
His awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.