Senate Confirms Biden Pick for Dual-Hat NSA, Cyber Command Post

The Senate unanimously confirmed Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh to lead Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) and the National Security Agency on Dec. 19. Haugh replaces Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, who has held the dual-hat leadership role since 2018. A change-of-command ceremony is planned for early 2024.

Haugh’s confirmation was delayed for 10 months. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., placed a hold on Haugh’s and other Pentagon nominations in a protest abortion policy at the Defense Department. Pentagon officials had warned that the delay was hurting national security.

Haugh has been serving as Nakasone‘s deputy commander at CYBERCOM, which runs the military’s defensive and offensive cyber operations, since July 2022. Nakasone was declared ransomware a national security threat in 2021 following compromises to critical infrastructure and key resources.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to have the opportunity to lead the incredible workforce of the Command and the Agency as they support the joint force during this decisive decade,” Haugh said.

Haugh began his Air Force career in 1991 and has held commands at the Sixteenth Air Force and Air Forces Cyber and Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber. He has also served as CYBERCOM’s director of Intelligence, J2, and as the deputy commander of Joint Task Force-Ares.

In a statement, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines praised Haugh.

“Haugh brings to this position extraordinary knowledge and experience, having served in a variety of leadership positions focused on intelligence and cyber,” she said. “He also has a tremendous reputation as a man of integrity and a manager who cares about his workforce. I am grateful to him for taking on this critically important leadership role in our Intelligence Community and very much look forward to working with him in his new position.”