SPAWAR Holds Change of Command

SPAWAR Holds Change of Command

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert was the presiding officer as Rear Adm. David Lewis relieved Rear Adm. Patrick Brady as commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in a change of command ceremony, Aug. 7.

 

Lewis reported to SPAWAR from his most recent assignment as the Program Executive Officer (PEO), Ships, where he was responsible for Navy shipbuilding for surface combatants, amphibious ships, logistics support ships, support craft and related foreign military sales.

The ceremony marked an end to Brady’s four years as commander of nearly 10,000 SPAWAR employees worldwide.

As SPAWAR’s commander, Brady worked to bring Information Dominance capabilities to the fleet by establishing the organization as the Information Technology Technical Authority and creating the Fleet Readiness Directorate. During his tenure, the Navy’s next generation tactical afloat network – CANES – was introduced to the fleet. Additionally, two next-generation narrowband satellite communications satellites, known as the Mobile User Objective System, were launched for defense department users.

During his tour as PEO Ships, Lewis had more than 17 ships under construction and an additional 24 ships and craft under contract. Lewis also served as vice commander, Naval Sea Systems Command.

Lewis said he will focus on three core areas, including delivering on commitments for equipment with defined performance and cost, focusing on cyber as an “All Hands” evolution and finding opportunity in this era of fiscal challenges.

He stressed that cyber is a warfighting challenge and will require an all hands on deck approach. His vision is that every Navy system will be cyber secure and every Navy sailor, civilian and contractor cyber savvy. He said SPAWAR has made great strides in cyber awareness under Brady’s command.

As the Navy’s Information Dominance systems command, SPAWAR designs, develops and deploys advanced communications and information capabilities. With nearly 10,000 active duty military and civil service professionals located around the world and close to the fleet, SPAWAR is at the forefront of research, engineering, acquisition and support services that provide vital decision superiority to our forces at the right time and for the right cost.

[mappress]
Press Release, August 08, 2014; Image: US Navy