Jonathan “J” Harnden

Jonathan “J” Harnden brings 30-years of commissioned service in the U.S. Navy Surface Warfare community, with a focus on improving operational readiness.

As Sigma Defense Vice President of Training and Readiness, J leads the Sigma Defense programs that support the planning, development and execution of DoD training and readiness contracts. In this effort, he applies his extensive Navy, Joint, Combined and Coalition experience in planning and executing complex operations and training for single unit, strike group and major technical programs in all phases from planning through certification/delivery.

J joined SOLUTE/Sigma Defense following his retirement as Captain from the U.S. Navy in 2016, where he served in a variety of leadership positions at sea and ashore. At sea, he served on a variety of surface ships across the globe, culminating in command of USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and USS Essex (LHD 2).  Ashore, he served in several commands from waterfront training and readiness organizations to the Chief of Naval Operations staff that directly supported the readiness of deploying surface ships and strike groups.  He also commanded Assault Craft Unit 5 (ACU 5) and served as Chief of Staff of Expeditionary Strike Group 3 (ESG 3).

J graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture. He also holds a Master’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Loyola University in Maryland.