Congratulations to LCDR Gerie W. Palanca. Message follows:

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SUBJ/CAPTAIN JOSEPH ROCHEFORT INFORMATION WARFARE OFFICER DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD//

MSGID/GENADMIN/FCC//

REF/A/MSG/COMFLTCYBERCOM/041740ZJAN22//

AMPN/REF A IS REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS//

POC/WELCH, CHRISTOPHER C./CIV/FLTCYBERCOM/EMAIL:CHRISTOPHER.C. WELCH.CIV(AT)US.NAVY.MIL/TEL:240-373-3939//

POC/MIDDLETON, DUANE A./CIV/FLTCYBERCOM/EMAIL:DUANE.A. MIDDLETON2.CIV(AT)US.NAVY.MIL/TEL:240-373-3939//

GENTEXT/PASS TO FLEET CRYPTOLOGIC SUPPORT UNITS/SSES// RMKS/1. Captain Joseph John Rochefort was a major figure in the U.S. Navy’s development of cryptologic and intelligence capabilities from 1925 to 1947. He headed the U.S. Navy’s fledgling cryptanalytic organization in the 1920’s and provided singularly superb cryptologic support to the U.S. fleet during World War II, leading to victory in the Pacific War. At the end of his career (1942-1946), CAPT Rochefort successfully headed the Pacific Strategic Intelligence Group in Washington. In 1986, he posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contribution during the Battle of Midway.

2. Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S. TENTH Fleet is pleased to announce the selection of Lieutenant Commander Gerie W. Palanca, assigned to the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet staff, as the 2021 Captain Joseph Rochefort Information Warfare Officer Distinguished Leadership Award winner. According to the nomination, Lieutenant Commander Palanca serves as the Cryptologic Resource Coordinator for the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet and has continually distinguished himself by demonstrating unmatched cryptologic skills, dedicated performance, and sterling leadership throughout his career. Starting as a Direct Support Officer at Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Hawaii, he deployed aboard five combatants before being assigned as the Electronic Warfare/Ships Signal Exploitation Division Officer aboard USS LASSEN (DDG 82). There he led his 15 Sailors during numerous deployments, a 1 million dollar space upgrade, and a homeport shift to Yokosuka, Japan. Following the Navy Postgraduate School, Lieutenant Commander Planaca was assigned to NIOC Colorado where he worked diligently to increase overhead support to deployed commanders and was selected to backfill the Operations Officer position. Most recently, he was hand-selected to fill his current position as the U.S. SEVENTH Fleet CRC where he has used his knowledge of Cryptology, Space, and Information Warfare (IW) to lead 7 operational subordinate Task Force IW teams and a staff of 18 IW officer and enlisted Sailors.

3. I would also like to acknowledge the other candidates this year for their significant leadership contributions to the IW mission. CDR Kurt L. Podrazik, Cyber Strike Activity SIXTY THREE LCDR Benjamin J. Sheldon, Commander, Submarine Group SEVEN LT Steven D. Finch, USS. DWIGHT G. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) Lt Steven J. Veres, Cryptologic Warfare Activity SIXTY FIVE CWO3 Kristopher J. Burns, NAVIOCOM Colorado

4. Special thanks to the officers who provided peer nominations for this years consideration.

5. As part of his selection, LCDR Planca will also be recognized by the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association for his distinct accomplishments in the very near future.

6. Congratulations and well done! VADM R. A. Myers, USN, Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S. TENTH Fleet.// 

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