FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (NNS) -- Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Maryland held a change of command ceremony Sep. 25, on post at McGlachlin Parade Field.
Rear Adm. Gene Price, deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/ U.S. 10th Fleet, presided over the ceremony in which Capt. Jeffrey S. Scheidt relieved Capt. Donald E. Elam as commanding officer of NIOC Maryland.
"NIOC Maryland has set an extremely high standard for aggressively accomplishing the mission it has been given," Price said. "Under Captain Elam's tenure, you have expanded the Navy's collaborative processes and culture. The things you do every day help better serve the nation."
Following the change of command ceremony, Elam retired after a distinguished naval career of 25 years serving both domestically and overseas, as well as aboard various ships, including USS Spruance (DD-963), USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).
"This has been one incredible journey," said Elam. "I have been challenged in this job like nothing I have ever experienced before. Overall, I look back on the last 26 months with a sense of pride and accomplishment."
Scheidt most recently served on the Joint Staff as the chief for the Cyberspace Policy Division where he led development of DoD concepts for cyber warfare, worked closely with the National Security Council and other agency partners to advance national cyber defenses. He also partnered with regional combatant commands to engage close allies for greater collaboration in cyber defense.
"I am both humbled and energized by the privilege I have received here today," said Scheidt. "Commanding the Navy's preeminent signals intelligence and cyber space warriors is my highest professional honor."
As commanding officer of NIOC Maryland, Scheidt will lead 2,300 Sailors and civilians and serve as the commander of Task Force 1060, responsible for the execution of intelligence collection and cyber operations for the commanders of U.S. 6th and 10th Fleets.
The command's primary mission is to conduct information operations and to provide cryptologic and related intelligence information to the fleet, joint and national commanders as well as administrative and personnel support to Department of the Navy members assigned to the Fort Meade area.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/fccc10f/.