Hugh W. Howard III

Rear Adm. Howard commanded the Naval Special Warfare Command between September 2020 through August 2022. He previously commanded Special Operations Command Central leading joint special operations forces across the Central Region, following service as assistant commander for Joint Special Operations Command. He has commanded at all levels of Special Operations, including service as commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 2011-2013. Adm. Howard was among the first to deploy into Afghanistan following the attacks of September 11, 2001, deploying consistently since. Rear Adm. Howard has additionally served as director of operations for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; as deputy director for Global Operations, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff; and as director for Counterterrorism Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.