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Naval Special Warfare Command Holds Change of Command Ceremony

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110630-28
6/30/2011

By Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW) held a change of command ceremony at the headquarters, June 30.

Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus relieved Rear Adm. Edward G. Winters as commander, Naval Special Warfare Command.

During his tour at NSW, Winters developed four pillars that guided NSW through dynamic and significant changes, organizationally and operationally -- win the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan; prevent and deter future conflict; prepare for future conflict; and evolve and sustain the Force.

Under Winters' leadership, NSW commissioned a number of major component commands, new organizations and overseas units, developing intelligence capabilities and improved readiness across a broad and unprecedented spectrum of NSW activities. Additionally, NSW restructured it resourcing and procurement directorate, which ensured NSW received funding for critical modernization programs.

Winters says NSW owes a great deal to what he calls 'the power behind the power,' the families of Navy SEALs, special warfare boat operators and support personnel deployed worldwide.

"Our strategy cannot be executed without focused support of our warriors and their families. We expect greatness of our warriors, but can do so only when a foundation of information, accessibility, networking and empowerment is available to the entire NSW family," said Winters.

As commander, he made taking care of NSW families an important element of evolving and sustaining the Force, elevating his Force Family Support Team director to the special assistant level, building a more robust Family Support staff to better, and championing the NSW Family Support website, a place for NSW service members and their families to connect, and to get information about available resources, events and programs.

The ceremony marks the end of a nearly three-year command tour for Winters, who graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training with Class 112 in May 1981. His command tours include SEAL Team 4, a Joint Special operations Task Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Naval Special Warfare Development Group, a Joint task Force in Afghanistan and the Iraqi National Counterterrorism Force Transition Team in Iraq. He currently has orders as Deputy Chief, Office of Security Cooperation – Iraq.

"Anything that anyone said that I did here, remember it wasn't me. It was all of you," said Winters to his staff and leadership across the NSW Force. "The greatest thing about being in NSW is that you get to go to work with heroes every day."

Rear Adm. Pybus received his commission through Navy ROTC after earning his Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Rochester in 1979. A graduate of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training with Class 105, Pybus is a career NSW SEAL officer. He assumes command of NSW with extensive operational and leadership experience, including unit tours in Panama, Germany and Bahrain, as well as duty as commodore, Naval Special Warfare Group 1. He most recently served as commander, Special Operations Command Pacific.

"Admiral Winters, I'm very proud to follow you here. I'm proud to follow the legacy you have built here and on the battlefield," said Pybus. "Honor, courage and commitment will continue to be our character at Naval Special Warfare."