Oceanographer of the Navy Rear Adm. John Okon congratulates the recipients of the 2017 Naval Oceanography Awards.

"Naval Oceanography underpins every aspect of naval power," said Okon. "Our talented workforce is the center of gravity of Naval Oceanography and is essential in providing the Navy our nation needs. It's an honor to recognize the hard work and dedication of this year's awardees."

The Naval Oceanography Awards program recognizes Naval Oceanography professionals for their expertise, accomplishments and leadership in the application of meteorology, oceanography, hydrography, precise time, and astrometry. Military awardees will receive a Navy Commendation Medal and civilian awardees will receive a Navy Meritorious Service Medal.

The Oceanographer of the Navy 2017 Naval Oceanography Awards recipients are:

* The 2017 Chief Aerographers Mate John Dungan Jr. Award recipient is Chief Aerographer's Mate Telly Spruill, Fleet Weather Center Norfolk Strike Group Oceanography Team

* The 2017 Captain Richard C. Steere Award recipient is Lt. Christian Mier, Naval Oceanography Antisubmarine Warfare Center, Yokosuka

* The 2017 Commander Mary Sears Award recipient is Lt. Cmdr. Brian Breshears, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7)

* The 2017 Matthew Henson Award recipient is Owen Shieh, Joint Typhoon Warning Center

The Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy is responsible for providing naval leadership in the areas of oceanography, meteorology, hydrography, precise time, climate change, the Arctic, and geospatial and celestial referencing.

The office is led by Oceanographer of the Navy Rear Adm. John Okon whose role also includes navigator and hydrographer of the Navy, as well as the senior policy adviser for issues related to national ocean policy and governance.