Today, Captain Joe Johnson was relieved by Captain Joe Sear as Commodore of Cryptologic Warfare Group SIX (CWG-6).  Captain Sears’ biography follows:

Captain Joe Sear, U.S. Navy
Commodore, Cryptologic Warfare Group SIX

Captain Joe Sears is a native of Lexington, KY and a graduate of the University of Kentucky receiving a B.A. in Political Science. He graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2004 where he earned his Masters of Science in Computer Science.

Originally serving as a Cryptologic Collection Technician Collection (CTR), he completed recruit training and Cryptologic Collection “A” School in 1991. He served his initial assignment at Naval Security Group Activity Misawa, Japan. In 1994, he reported to the USS Gettysburg (CG 64) as a cryptologic analyst conducting operations in the Arabian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, and Caribbean Sea.

In July 1996, Captain Sears commissioned as a Special Duty Officer (Cryptology), now Cryptologic Warfare Officer. He earned his Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) certification in 2005 and was designated a Joint Qualified Officer after his tour at U.S. Cyber Command in 2013.

Assignments have included: National Security Agency (NSA), Information Assurance Directorate as the Navy Advocate for Information Assurance; Pre-commissioning Detachment Roosevelt (PCD 80) as the detachment Officer in Charge; USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) as the Signals Information Warfare Officer supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and maritime interception operations; Navy Information Operations Command Suitland as the Advanced Projects & Demonstrations Deputy Department Head; Commander U.S. 7th Fleet embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) as the Cryptologic Resource Coordinator and Collection Manager; U.S. Cyber Command as an intelligence operations planner and Chief, Combat Targeting; Navy Information Operations Command Maryland as the N3/CTF 1060 Operations Officer directing cryptologic and cyber operations supporting fleet commanders worldwide; Navy Information Operations Command Pensacola as Commanding Officer; Chief Of Naval Operations as the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (OPNAV N2N6); and NSA as the Computer Network Operations Mission Management Deputy Chief.

Captain Sears’ awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (4), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, South West Asia Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Marksman Pistol (expert), and various unit and service awards.

Godspeed Commodore!