2026 Doolittle Award Recipient: General Timothy D. Haugh, former Commander, U.S. Cyber Command and Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service

On April 15th, 2026, the MIT Security Studies Program was honored to present former Commander, U.S. Cyber Command and Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service General Timothy D. Haugh with the General James Doolittle Award. With the generous support of Pierre (MIT SB 1988) and Amy Chao, SSP hosts the annual Doolittle Dinner to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of US air power. It also celebrates General James Doolittle (MIT MS 1924, ScD 1925), for his innovations in aeronautics and military service.

SSP Director and Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of Political Science, Dr. Taylor Fravel, opened the event with a review of General Doolittle’s life and many accomplishments, recounting the events of Doolittle’s famed 1942 raid on Tokyo, his trailblazing feats of aviation, and his scientific contributions to airplane instrumentation, aviation fuel, and space-based reconnaissance. Director Fravel then introduced General Haugh and joined him for a fireside-style conversation.

General Haugh’s conversation with Director Fravel spanned a range of issues related to intelligence, cyber, emerging technologies, and national security. Reflecting on a distinguished career that began as an Air Force intelligence officer, General Haugh discussed how intelligence and cyber operations have changed over time, responding to new technologies, threats, and operational and organizational demands. He also offered takeaways from ongoing operations in Iran, including what lessons should be drawn for potential future operations in the Indo-Pacific.

Taking questions from MIT students, faculty, and affiliates, General Haugh thoughtfully engaged a number of additional topics, including the institutional relationships between the NSA and USCYBERCOM and the growing impact of artificial intelligence on national security. General Haugh stressed the role of implementation, evaluation, and military commanders in AI competitiveness. He also shared advice for the ROTC cadets and PhD students in attendance, encouraging them to “bloom where you are planted” as they navigate their careers.
In 2017, Pierre (MIT SB 1988) and Amy Chao made a generous pledge to SSP in support of the Doolittle Award. Mr. Chao, who has had an active career in the aerospace and defense industry, earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science and Management Science from MIT. The endowment allows SSP to sustain the Doolittle Award event, ensuring that future MIT graduate students and fellows are acquainted with the contribution that science and engineering can make to national security.