Navy
Navy relieves commander of Naval Warfare Training Group, Norfolk
Stars and Stripes
January 19, 2025
Cmdr. Sarah M. Quemada has been relieved of her duties as the commanding officer of the Naval Information Warfare Training Group, Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy)
The commanding officer of the Naval Information Warfare Training Group, Norfolk, Va., was relieved of her duties last week due to a loss of confidence in her ability to command.
Cmdr. Sarah M. Quemada was relieved of her duties Thursday by Rear Adm. Brian A. Harding, commander of Naval Information Warfighting Development Center, according to a Navy new release.
“The Navy maintains the highest standards for commanding officers and holds them accountable when those standards are not met,” the service said.
The U.S. military routinely cites only a vague “loss of confidence” when removing commanders and other leaders from authority positions.
Capt. Steve Mcintyre has been temporarily assigned as NITWG Norfolk’s commanding officer until a permanent replacement is designated.
Quemada, who assumed command in June 2023, has been temporarily reassigned to Naval Information Forces.
Quemada enlisted in the Navy in 2005 and was commissioned as an ensign in 2007 after completing Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., according to her Navy bio.
Quemada served as the tactical information warfare officer aboard USS McFaul, where she completed a nine-month deployment to the Indian Ocean area of operations. She also served as the deputy information warfare commander for Amphibious Squadron Four. Among her other assignments was the officer in charge of Warfare Group SIX Detachment, Digby.
Quemada’s personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), according to her bio.
The Naval Information Warfare Training Center prepares Navy personnel to conduct information warfare operations. Naval Information Warfare Training Group, Norfolk, is a subordinate command of the NIWTC.