Cmdr. Anthony T. Saxon relieved Cmdr. Donald V. Wilson as commanding officer of Naval Communications Security Material System (NCMS) during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland., April 5.

"It's been a great honor to be NCMS's commanding officer.  I will have lifelong memories of the command's accomplishments and some zany happenings along the way, but the fantastic military, civilians and contractors that make up the crew are the life and blood of NCMS.  I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served with such outstanding professionals," said Wilson on his final words for the command.

Cmdr. Wilson, NCMS's seventh commanding officer, leaves the command to join Amphibious Squadron 8 (COMPHIBRON 8). COMPHIBRON 8 commands the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group which consists of USS Bataan (LHD 5), USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), USS New York (LPD 21), USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44). Cmdr. Wilson will be charged with responsibilities for planning and executing amphibious operations and deployments with a reinforced Marine Battalion.

Cmdr. Saxon completed surface warfare officer school at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island after receiving his commission. He served aboard amphibious assault ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) as the communications Officer and EKMS Manager and the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) as the Second Division Officer. He served ashore at Regional Support Group Mayport, Florida as the Shipboard Availability Coordinator. He laterally transferred to the Informational Professional Community in 2004.

Cmdr. Saxon's operational assignments include Assistant Chief of Staff for Communications (N6) at Expeditionary Strike Group 7, Commander Task Force 76.  He also served as Electronics Material Officer, Combat Information Systems Officer aboard USS Bataan (LHD 5), where he attained a tactical action officer qualification. He volunteered for a Global War on Terror support assignment to Afghanistan and served as the Communications Current Operations Officer at NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.  During this tour he was hand selected to become the Commanding General's Communications Officer and established the Commanding General's mobile communications team.

Cmdr. Saxon decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various other unit, campaign and service awards.

NCMS administers the Department of the Navy Communications Security (COMSEC) program and serves as the central office of records for accounts and COMSEC material throughout Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command and the national COMSEC community. The command provides leadership, guidance and support to the Navy's information assurance program as the Navy's leading authority on public key infrastructure for unclassified and classified networks.

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