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Rear Adm. Shannon Assumes Command of NAVSEA Naval Surface Warfare Center

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081018-23
Release Date: 10/18/2008 11:34:00 PM

From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Command of Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) changed hands Oct. 17 in a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard.

Rear Adm. James J. Shannon relieved Rear Adm. Archer M. Macy Jr. as commander of Naval Surface Warfare Center.

Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), gave the ceremony's keynote address. McCoy spoke about Macy's many accomplishments as NSWC commander, describing his actions as transformational.

"Admiral Macy has set a positive agenda for change that will help our customers reduce the amount of money the Navy spends for our engineering products and services," said McCoy. "Most importantly, he transformed the way our military counters [improvise explosive devices] in Iraq and Afghanistan. Admiral Macy and the NSWC team have provided our military service members serving in Iraq and Afghanistan the best systems and tactics to counter the IED threat. No doubt his leadership has had the direct result of saving the lives of Americans."

Macy reflected on his four years as commander of NAVSEA's Naval Surface Warfare Center, highlighting the accomplishments of warfare center employees during the past several years.

"This magnificent team consists of over 18,000 incredible men and women, civilian and military, in 12 major sites across the United States. These men and women have -- and are today -- developing, designing and maintaining the most powerful and capable Navy this world has ever known," said Macy. "As you look at all of the divisions and see all the many ways that our people are involved in both the present and the future of our nation's defense, a mosaic forms, and the true value of the warfare centers becomes apparent."

Macy was awarded the Legion of Merit for his service as NSWC commander. His next assignment will be director of the Joint Theater Air and Missile Defense Organization.

In his remarks, Shannon thanked Macy for his years of service and echoed Macy's emphasis on the civilian and military people that comprise both the surface and undersea warfare centers.

"It is in these people that we place our faith to ensure that the quality of our systems will meet the need of those who operate them," said Shannon. "I'm humbled to be given the honor to lead them."

A native of San Francisco's Noe Valley District, Shannon graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981. His operational experience spans across the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 7th Fleets. Shannon's acquisition assignments include service as major program manager of the Future Combat Systems Open Architecture program, project manager for the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air project, and director of Development, Test and Acceptance for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile. Shannon also served as the executive assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, as a communication systems analyst in support of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, and as a tactics instructor for the Surface Warfare Officers School.

"The groundwork has been laid," said McCoy. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, and I know Admiral Shannon is the right person to lead this team."

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.