Panel

Information Dominance to Support High-end Distributed Maritime Operations

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM PT

Location: Operations in Focus Stage - Sails Pavilion

Sponsored By

Confirmed Moderator(s)

LTG Susan S. Lawrence, USA (Ret.)

President and CEO
AFCEA International

Confirmed Speaker(s)

LtGen Melvin Carter, USMC

Deputy Commandant for Information
U.S. Marine Corps
RADM Jon Hickey, USCG

Chief Information Officer, C51 (CG-C51)
U.S. Coast Guard
Jennifer L. Edgin

Acting Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare
N2/N6 and Acting Director of Naval Intelligence
LTG David T. Isaacson, USA

Director for Command
Control, Communications and Computers (C4)/Cyber, Chief Information Officer, J-6
Anne Marie Schumann

Principal Cyber Advisor
Department of the Navy
M. Barry Tanner

Acting Chief Information Officer
U.S. Department of the Navy

In parallel to the WEST conference theme, “Sustaining Maritime Dominance: Warfighting Readiness for the Future Fight,” this senior-leader panel will explore how the sea services and Joint Force are operationalizing information as a core element of high-end distributed maritime operations This discussion will examine how the services are integrating C4ISR, cyber, data, AI, and spectrum operations to enable resilient command and control, decision advantage, and synchronized effects across a highly distributed force. Panelists will address challenges and opportunities in interoperability, zero-trust architectures, cyber resilience, coalition operations, and accelerating acquisition at the speed of relevance—while maintaining readiness for conflict at scale. Attendees will gain strategic insight into how information dominance underpins maritime deterrence and warfighting effectiveness, and how government, industry, and academia must collaborate to ensure the naval force remains ready to fight—and win—the future maritime fight.