Nimitz Operational Intelligence Center
Stored: Nimitz Operational Intelligence Center
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Nimitz Operational Intelligence Center (NOIC) is a specialized subcommand of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), named after Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, established as the Navy’s Center of Excellence for operational intelligence, located within the National Maritime Intelligence Center in Suitland, Maryland.
Mission
The Nimitz Operational Intelligence Center’s mission is to provide all-source and geospatial intelligence analysis on maritime events, supporting fleet commanders and national policymakers with precise, actionable data. It leads in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and Global Maritime Intelligence Integration (GMII), delivering tailored assessments on naval positions, capabilities, and transnational threats like piracy and smuggling to maintain U.S. Navy warfighting superiority.
Parent organization
The NOIC operates under the Office of Naval Intelligence, within the Department of Defense, as one of ONI’s five Centers of Excellence, contributing to naval intelligence efforts from its NMIC base.
Legislation
The NOIC was not created by specific legislation but evolved from ONI’s post-WWII operational focus, formalized in 2009 as a Center of Excellence during ONI’s reorganization under Adm. Gary Roughead to enhance operational intelligence support.
Partners
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) for counter-threat analysis
- U.S. Coast Guard Intelligence Coordination Center (ICC) for maritime security
- National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office (NMIO) for intelligence sharing
Number of employees
The exact number of NOIC employees is not publicly specified; it employs a subset of ONI’s 3,000+ NMIC personnel, likely numbering in the hundreds, including analysts, geospatial experts, and fleet support staff, with staffing adjusted to operational demands.
Organization structure
The NOIC is a distinct unit within ONI’s command structure:
Leader
The Commanding Officer of NOIC is Capt. Nicholas R. Homan, who assumed command in May 2014 from Capt. Andrea Pollard, reporting to the Commander, ONI (Rear Adm. Mike Brookes as of March 2025).
Divisions
Key functional areas include:
- Fleet Intelligence Support Department (FISD) for pre-deployment briefings.
- Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Team for imagery and ArcGIS analysis.
- Maritime Threat Analysis Unit for counter-proliferation and crime.
List of programs
- Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) Initiative
- Global Maritime Intelligence Integration (GMII)
- Fleet Imagery Support Team (FIST) Operations
Last total enacted budget
The NOIC’s budget is not separately detailed; it’s funded within ONI’s portion of the Navy’s FY 2024 budget of $202.5 billion, under the DoD’s $842 billion, supporting personnel, tech, and operations, with no specific figure isolated.
Staff
The NOIC staff includes intelligence analysts, GEOINT specialists, and fleet support personnel, likely in the hundreds within ONI’s 3,000-strong NMIC workforce, with experts like Joe Kowalczyk (Deputy Department Head, FIST) advising on imagery-related needs.
Funding
Since its formalization in 2009, the NOIC has been funded through ONI’s appropriations under Title 10 U.S.C., with FY 2024’s $202.5 billion Navy budget covering its operations, technology, and staff within the NMIC.
Services provided
The NOIC delivers operational intelligence via FISD briefings, geospatial analysis through FIST (exploiting national and tactical imagery), and threat assessments on maritime crime and proliferation, supporting fleet readiness and national security with 24/7 analysis.
Regulations overseen
The NOIC operates under ONI’s regulatory framework, including SECNAVINST 5530.4E for security, and aligns with Intelligence Community standards like ICD 902, but does not create regulations itself.
Headquarters address
4251 Suitland Road, Suitland, MD 20746 (National Maritime Intelligence Center)
History
Named after WWII Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, the NOIC traces its roots to ONI’s 1946 Operational Intelligence Section, evolving into a formal Center of Excellence in 2009. Housed at NMIC since 1988, it has expanded post-9/11 to lead MDA and GMII, with Capt. Homan’s command since May 2014 marking sustained leadership.
Related
See Also Links to related programs articles or organizations:
- Office of Naval Intelligence
- National Maritime Intelligence Center
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service