SPRINGFIELD, Virginia – Navy Vice Adm. Frank D. Whitworth III assumed command as the eighth director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency during a ceremony at the agency’s headquarters here June 3.

Whitworth, who replaces Navy Vice Adm. Robert Sharp, takes the helm at NGA after previously serving as the director for intelligence on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon.

“Our nation’s leaders and our uniformed service members rely on NGA to defend this nation, protect our interests abroad, and defeat our adversaries,” said Whitworth. “In lockstep with our global GEOINT partners, we will continue to deliver “GEOINT advantage” to every echelon – from strategic decision-makers to our forces at the tactical edge.” 

Sharp became director in February 2019, and will be retiring at NGA after 33 years of service, including holding positions as the commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence and director of the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office.

Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Ronald S. Moultrie and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines presided over the ceremony. 

Read Whitworth's biography here.