Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic (NCTAMS LANT) held a change of command ceremony June 16 at Naval Station Norfolk.

During the ceremony, Capt. Matthew R. Lear, a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, relieved Capt. Kelly Aeschbach, who has served as commanding officer since September 2013.

"It has been an honor to serve with the outstanding men and women at NCTAMS LANT," said Aeschbach. "I am confident the command will achieve continued success and set new benchmarks under Capt. Lear's leadership. I look forward to continuing to influence the success of the Navy's communications enterprise and Information Dominance in my new position."

Vice Adm. Jan E. Tighe, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, was the presiding officer at the ceremony.

"The chief of naval operations' tenet of 'Warfighting First' is clearly embraced by the sailors and civilians at NCTAMS LANT and this fine team under Capt. Aeschbach's leadership has well understood that we must operate the network as a warfighting platform," Tighe said. "This means operating and defending networks, communication, and space systems, ensuring availability, and, when necessary, fighting through them to achieve operational objectives."

"The team's operations here are an integral part of what makes maritime and Joint operations across the services and Department of Defense successful," she said.

During his remarks, Lear said, "I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the men and women at NCTAMS LANT. Under the leadership of Capt. Aeschbach, NCTAMS LANT has established itself as the Navy's premier communications station. I look forward to continuing this success during my time as commanding officer."

Lear is a 1993 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science in oceanography. He also earned a Master of Science in computer science and a second master's in meteorology from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California.

His most recent assignment was as Commander, Carrier Strike Group 12 assistant chief of staff for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Collaboration, and Intelligence.

NCTAMS LANT delivers and defends responsive, resilient, and secure computer and telecommunications systems, providing information superiority for global maritime and joint forces.

Not only does the command function as a major information and processing node, but it also serves as the regional headquarters for 46 activities and base communications offices located up and down the East Coast as far west as North Dakota, and overseas in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Iceland, Spain, Greece, and Africa. One reserve unit, NCTAMS LANT Det. Norfolk, also provides support to NCTAMS LANT.

The 1,900 military, Department of Navy civilians, and contractors working within the NCTAMS LANT region directly support over 5,396 shore commands and 106 ships homeported along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico and deployed around the world.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/FCCC10F/.