NIOC Pensacola Holds Change of Command

By Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Pensacola held a change of command ceremony July 18 at the Mustin Club, Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Vice Adm. Jan E. Tighe, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F), presided over the ceremony in which Cmdr. Joseph D. Sears relieved Cmdr. Patrick A. Count as commanding officer of NIOC Pensacola.

"Over the past two years, NIOC Pensacola has transformed itself in response to our urgent need to grow the U.S. Cyber Command Cyber Mission Force (CMF) capability and capacity," said Tighe. "You have adapted from a principally national foreign intelligence focused mission to creating foundational teams in the CMF supporting global cyber missions."

During the ceremony, Count thanked his Sailors for a rewarding tour and acknowledged the support his family has provided throughout the years.

"Command, no matter how big or small, how short or long, is the assignment of a career and a sign of trust. I'm honored to have served it with you-a dedicated team of the best professionals I've ever served with," said Count.

Count will attend Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama in pursuit of a Masters in Strategic Studies.

Sears just completed his tour at Navy Information Operations Command Maryland where he served as the N3/CTF 1060 operations officer directing cryptologic and cyber operations supporting fleet commanders worldwide.

"I thank you for your gracious hospitality, professionalism, and your time showing me around and explaining to me what it means to be a part of NIOC Pensacola. It is a privilege and honor to lead this team," said Sears.

Sears, a Lexington, Kentucky native, graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. Sears also attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California where he received a Master of Science in Computer Science in 2004.

Over the past two years, NIOC Pensacola's team has evolved from being focused solely on support to various National partner offices and their product lines to being positioned as a formidable member of U.S. Cyber Command's Cyber Mission Force (CMF).

Today, NIOC Pensacola is the Navy's Cyber Combat Support Team (CST) Center of Excellence with all five Navy CSTs located here, and sets the standard for all service CSTs.