TechNet Augusta 2026

CDR Sarah Quemada, USN




Commander Sarah M. Quemada, a native of Port Townsend, WA, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2005. Upon completion of recruit training and Information Systems Technician ‘A’ school, she reported to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station, Detachment Hampton Roads. She was commissioned as an ensign in 2007 after completing Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. She attended Cryptologic Officer training and then proceeded to Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC), Texas for duties as a Cryptologist. Her operational tours include serving as the Tactical Information Warfare Officer aboard USS McFAUL (DDG-74), where she completed a SCANEAGLE deployment to the Indian Ocean area of operation in support of Joint Task Force operations. She also served as the Deputy Information Warfare Commander for COMPHIBRON FOUR, where she completed a COMFIFTHFLT deployment, and completed a tour as the Assistant Chief of Staff- Information Operations/Integrated Fires for COMCARSTRKGRU TWO. Ashore, she volunteered for a 390-day Individual Augmentation to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan and performed intelligence support to village stability operations; served as the Assistant Branch Chief to Cyber Pursuit and Exploitation at NSA/CSS Threat Operations Center, Hawaii; served at COMTHIRDFLT as the Cryptologic Resource Coordinator; served as Officer-in-Charge for Cryptologic Warfare Group SIX Detachment, Digby and Commanding Officer, Naval Information Warfare Training Group Norfolk; and at Naval Information Forces Readiness Operations Center, where she volunteered for an Individual Augmentation to Security Assistance Group- Ukraine as an Electromagnetic Warfare Advisor. CDR Quemada has a M.S. in Cybersecurity, a M.A. in Defense and Strategic Studies with a concentration in Middle East Studies, and is currently a PhD in Cyber Defense student at Dakota State University, where her area of research interest is machine learning and cyber risk assessment integration. She also has a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from Western Washington University. CDR Quemada’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards).

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