Fleet Survey Team Holds Change of Command

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. (NNS) -- The Fleet Survey Team (FST) held a change of command ceremony at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, June 21.

Cmdr. Ronald R. Shaw relieved Cmdr. Christopher J. Sterbis as commanding officer.

"You should be extremely proud of what you have accomplished. The Navy understands the value of the Fleet Survey Team and what it does," said Naval Oceanographic Office Commanding Officer Capt. Paul Oosterling, guest speaker.

Shaw graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1992 and was commissioned as an ensign. He earned a master's degree in meteorology and physical oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. In 1994, he reported to Naval Support Force Antarctica as a flight meteorologist and served as officer in charge of a detachment in Christchurch, New Zealand.

In 2000, Shaw reported to the Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center in San Diego, Calif., as a senior ship router and assistant operations officer.

In 2002, he completed a tour as the OA division officer/officer of the deck aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Shaw graduated with a master's degree in hydrography from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2005 and reported to the Fleet Survey Team as executive officer. He graduated with distinction from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., and in 2009 served in Hawaii on the staff of the U.S. Pacific Command.

His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals; two National Defense Medals; Navy Humanitarian Assistance Medal, Armed Service Medal, Antarctica Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Medal and various campaign and service awards.

Sterbis' next assignment will be in Washington D.C. at OPNAV N81, Assessment Division, which provides capability-based analyses of naval warfare and support requirements.

FST is a rapid-response team with the capabilities to conduct quick-turnaround hydrographic surveys anywhere in the world. It is comprised of approximately 65 military and civilian members. FST is collocated with the Naval Oceanographic Office and the Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

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