Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (CNREURAFSWA) hosted an exchange of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples March 10.

Rear Adm. John C. "Jack" Scorby Jr., and Rear Adm. Rick Williamson exchanged command responsibilities in a unique ceremony, with Scorby relinquishing command of CNREURAFSWA to Williamson; and Williamson relinquishing command of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA) to Scorby.

CNREURAFSWA and NRMA are the only two-star billets in the Navy Installations Command global enterprise.

"I am truly honored and humbled to be taking command of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia," said Williamson. "Adm. Scorby is handing me a high-performing team and I am excited to build upon his superb record of accomplishments."

Williamson, a Jacksonville, Florida, native, is a 1985 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he received a Bachelor of Science in computer science. Williamson earned a Master of Business Administration from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1990 and is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk.

Scorby commanded CNREURAFSWA since October 2013. Under his leadership, he oversaw the expansion of the region's facilities to support the European Phased Adaptive Approach to missile defense in Europe including the forward-deployment of four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to Naval Station Rota, Spain, and the establishment of Naval Support Facility (NSF) Deveselu, Romania, the first new U.S. Navy facility constructed from the ground up in more than 30 years. He managed an annual budget of approximately $600 million during fiscally challenging times, leading environmental stewardship and energy reduction projects to improve resource management. Scorby also actively engaged with government officials, community leaders and foreign allies and partners to strengthen key relationships within the Navy's Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia operating environment.

"I am grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity to serve here in Naples and Navy Region EURAFSWA," said Scorby. "One of the many rewarding parts of this job was the opportunity to work with so many great people -- U.S. service members, U.S. and Host Nation civilians, our allies and support organizations -- all of whom contributed immensely to the support of our fleet, fighters and families."

Scorby assumed command of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. "I echo Admiral Williamson's comments," added Scorby. "He has done a magnificent job as the commander of Mid-LANT and is turning over an exceptional team of shore installation management professionals. They have a stellar reputation and I am looking forward to working with them."

As CNREURAFSWA, Williamson will oversee a workforce of more than 4,000 host nation, U.S. employees and military members responsible for providing efficient and effective shore service support to U.S. and allied forces in the Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia area of responsibility.

For more information about Navy Region EURAFSWA, visit www.cnic.navy.mil/europe.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, visit www.navy.mil/.