Navy Vice Adm. Michael S. Rogers nominated as NSA head

Navy Vice Adm. Michael S. Rogers, as expected, has been nominated to lead the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command. (Gary Nichols / U.S. Navy / )

WASHINGTON -- President Obama has nominated Navy Vice Adm. Michael S. Rogers, a 30-year Navy veteran, to head the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, officials said Thursday.

If confirmed by the Senate, Rogers will take over an intelligence agency battered by leaks of classified documents from former contractor Edward Snowden about NSA surveillance and intelligence gathering programs at home and abroad.

Rogers, a Chicago-area native who now commands Navy cyber operations, would replace Army Gen. Keith Alexander, who is retiring. Alexander has headed the NSA since 2005 and Cyber Command since 2010.

'This is a critical time for the NSA, and Vice Adm. Rogers would bring extraordinary and unique qualifications to this position as the agency continues its vital mission and implements President Obama's reforms,' Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a statement. 'I am also confident that Adm. Rogers has the wisdom to help balance the demands of security, privacy, and liberty in our digital age.'

Hagel said that Richard Ledgett, an NSA veteran, has been selected to serve as NSA deputy director, the senior civilian post at the agency. He replaces John 'Chris' Inglis, who retired in January.

ken.dilanian@latimes.com

Twitter: @kendilanianLAT