Commanding Officer
Kennedy Maritime Analysis Center
Captain Mitchell H. Finke assumed command of the Office of Naval Intelligence Kennedy Maritime Analysis Center in September 2024. Prior to this assignment, he served as the information warfare commander for the Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, Combined Task Force (CTF) 50, supporting operations in the Red Sea.
Finke’s command assignments include serving as the first commanding officer of Cryptologic Warfare Maritime Activity (CWMA) 61 and Commander, Task Group 1060.1. As a task group commander under U.S. Tenth Fleet, he led a team that provided cryptologic and defensive cyberspace capabilities to fleet, joint, and national commanders.
His operational assignments include imagery officer, supplementary plot officer, and division officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); N2 of Navy Special Warfare Task Unit-Fallujah as an individual augmentee to SEAL Team 10; senior intelligence officer aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) and the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75); and information warfare commander, Carrier Strike Group 2, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Strike Group and Commander Task Force (CTF) 50.
Finke’s shore assignments include Chief of Naval Operations Intelligence Plot (CNO IP); flag aide to the Director of Naval Intelligence; CNO N2X plans and programs officer; U.S. Pacific Command Joint Intelligence Operations Center; U.S. Central Command Joint Intelligence Center to include duties as executive assistant to the CENTCOM commander; and assistant chief of staff for Intelligence (N2), U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, U.S. Tenth Fleet, U.S. Navy Space Command, and Joint Force Headquarters Cyber (Navy).
Finke has deployed to the U.S. Northern Command, European Command and Central Command areas of responsibility in support of operations including Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Freedom’s Sentinel, Unified Protector, Inherent Resolve, Prosperity Guardian, Poseidon Archer, Yukon Lightning and to U.S. Southern Command headquarters for Operation Unified Response.
A native of Westfield, Indiana, Finke commissioned as an intelligence officer in 2001 through Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida. He holds a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies (with distinction) from the United States Naval War College and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Ball State University.
Finke’s personal awards include four Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, two Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Battle Efficiency awards, and two Navy Unit Commendations. Decorations he is authorized to wear include the Legion of Merit (2 awards, one with combat “C” device), Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards) and Combat Action Ribbon.