Navy Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center (NEXWDC) held its first change of command ceremony, June 10 since its establishment in 2014 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

Capt. Michael Sparks relieved Capt. David Clement Jr., as commanding officer of NEXWDC.

NEXWDC transitioned from the Expeditionary Training Group Sept. 30, 2014, and is responsible for Advanced/Integrated Training of all Navy expeditionary forces. In May 2016, the command achieved its official full operational capability status as a Warfighting Development Center.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the commanding officer of Navy Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center during the transition from Expeditionary Training Group," said Clement.

During his tenure, Clement provided key leadership during transition by developing advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures across expeditionary combat mission areas at the individual, unit, and integrated levels -- ensuring alignment of the training continuum across the force.

"I am immensely proud of efforts of the men and women of NEXWDC who have worked tirelessly to improve the fighting power of our force," said Clement.

Sparks, who turned over duties as commander, Coastal Riverine Group 2 April 29, said he is looking forward to his next assignment overseeing the training of expeditionary forces across the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command type command.

"It is an honor to become the commanding officer of Navy Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center," said Sparks. "Thank you to Capt. Clement for his steadfast leadership; I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead NEXWDC and continue the standard of excellence that is so clearly evident here. NEXWDC will continue on to be a command of vision, purpose and focused energy."

NEXWDC is in charge of developing, validating, standardizing, and publishing the tactics, techniques, and procedures for the expeditionary community. NEXWDC also provides advanced training across all combat mission areas; operational support and subject matter expertise to numbered fleet commanders, naval component commanders, and combatant commanders as required.

NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations that is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.