SUFFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Matthew J. Kohler relieved Rear Adm. Diane E.H. Webber as a Commander, Navy Information Dominance Forces (NAVIDFOR) during a change of command ceremony, held at the command's headquarters, Oct. 3.
Webber assumed command of NAVCYBERFOR Sept. 27, 2013 and is credited with overseeing the Oct.1 standup of NAVIDFOR.
"I can never say thank you enough for the wonderful work you've done here," said Webber. "It's been an incredible year — a whirlwind year and its mindboggling to me when I think of all that you've accomplished in that short time. Thank you."
Kohler, who most recently served as Director of Intelligence, U.S. Africa Command, took the opportunity to recognize Webber's accomplishments.
"My first order of business is to thank Admiral Webber for all the tremendous work she has done here," said Kohler. "The efforts you have led with your team during your command here have been phenomenal and breathtaking to see. It is because of your superb efforts and those of your team that we enabled the standup Navy Information Dominance Forces Command this week."
A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, Kohler graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1983 and was commissioned in 1984 through the Aviation Officer Candidate School, Pensacola, Florida.
During the ceremony, Kohler commented on the Navy's evolutionary progression towards an Information Dominance (ID) Type Command (TYCOM). "The NAVIDFOR culminates the deliberate evolution of Navy with respect to Information Dominance. Starting in 2009 with the establishment of OPNAV N2/N6, the creation of the Information Dominance Corps (IDC) shortly after, quickly followed by the standup of Fleet Cyber Command, the Navy has led the way in Information Dominance. The one piece that was missing over that period of time was an ID TYCOM," Said Kohler. "And now, we are here. We are here because of all the great work you [Webber], and your team have done, and we will continue to build on your success."
Prior to her relief, Webber was presented the Legion of Merit to recognize her achievements, to include developing and executing a comprehensive campaign plan to address fleet electronic warfare shortfalls and reestablish electronic warfare as a primary warfare area.
"This command has been a home base for me where I have circled back throughout my career," Said Weber during her closing remarks to the staff. "The people and the mission I have known here have been near and dear to my heart for over twenty years. I'm very happy to come home and finish my career here. Thanks to all of you — thanks for the best year of my career."
In his closing comments, Kohler shared his enthusiasm and commitment to building upon Webber's accomplishments. "I can't be more excited than to be here today, to join the team, take a seat, grab an oar and continue to row," Kohler said.
NAVIDFOR stood up on Oct. 1, 2014 and is a global readiness-focused TYCOM, responsible for organizing, manning, training, equipping (MT&E) and identifying requirements for all Navy ID capabilities.
NAVIDFOR will consolidate and align missions, functions, and tasks (MFT) previously managed by separate ID commands (specifically, Navy Cyber Forces Command (NCF), Fleet Cyber Command (FCC), Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC), and the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI)) to improve the generation and sustainment of ID force readiness across the Navy.
For more information about NAVIDFOR, visit http://www.navidfor.navy.mil/ and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/USNavyInformationDominanceForces.