NIOC Georgia Holds Change of Command Ceremony

FORT GORDON, Ga. (NNS) -- Capt. Jim Brokaw relieved Capt. John C. Post as commander, Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Georgia during a change of command ceremony at Fort Gordon, Ga., August 17.

Vice Adm. Michael S. Rogers, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/commander, U.S. 10th Fleet, presided over the ceremony attended by family, friends and shipmates. Rogers said NIOC Georgia has been fortunate to have a leader such as Post.

"He always thinks about mission and he always thinks about people," said Rogers. "Almost a decade ago, when Capt. Post was executive officer of [then] Naval Security Group Activity Fort Gordon, there were only 200 Sailors aboard. Today, there are over 1,300. That is a testament to both the crew and Capt. Post's hard work and the importance of the job being done at Fort Gordon."

Capt. Steve Parode, commanding officer of Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group and long-time friend of Post, was a guest speaker at the ceremony. Parode recalled past experiences and memories of Post and also praised the his personal integrity.

"Recently, someone asked me how I would measure integrity, how I would measure dedication, how I would measure performance in a demanding job and I had to think about that," said Parode "This morning it struck me as easy; Captain John Post is how I would do it."

During Post's tour aboard NIOC Georgia, Sailors have completed 112 individual augmentee tours supporting both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; over 500 individual augmentee tours supporting fleet operations; more than 5,000 missions; have flown approximately 45,000 cumulative hours; and, been deployed aboard more than 80 ships.

"NIOC Georgia Sailors, officers, and civilians lead the field technically and tactically," said Post. "It is a center for fulfilling national and fleet information operations requirements."

Following Post's final speech as commanding officer, Brokaw officially relieved Post and the NIOC Georgia command master chief and executive officer dressed Brokaw's uniform with the golden trident signifying Navy command ashore authority. Amid general applause, the new commanding officer addressed the audience.

"Your enthusiasm inspires me and I look forward to continuing to build upon the successes of the command and crew," said Brokaw. "There is no doubt that I am inheriting an outstanding command from a great leader."

The Navy's change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition in which the crew gives honor and respect to an out-going commanding officer and welcomes aboard a new commanding officer.

Directly following the change of command, a retirement ceremony was held to honor Post's 27 years of service.

NIOC Georgia is a subordinate command of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and comprises Task Force 1050 of the U.S. 10th Fleet. Based at Fort Gordon, its mission is to provide Information Warfare and Cryptologic expertise and personnel to Fleet Air, Surface, Submarine and Special Warfare Combatants and to provide reachback and extended staff support to U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command Joint Forces Maritime Component Commanders. NIOC Georgia supports the Global War on Terrorism, operating in a challenging Naval, multi-service, and multi-national environment.

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For more news from Navy Information Operations Command Georgia, visit www.navy.mil/local/niocg/.