NCTS Hampton Roads holds Change Of Command

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Alejandra Navarro | Cmdr. R. Brian Conner transferred responsibility as the Commanding Officer to Cmdr. Craig M. Gilkey.  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

06.15.2023

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alejandra Navarro 

NCTS Hampton Roads

Norfolk, Va. -- Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Hampton Roads (NCTS HR) held a Change of Command ceremony at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA, on June 15, 2023.

During the ceremony, Cmdr. R. Brian Conner transferred responsibility as the Commanding Officer to Cmdr. Craig M. Gilkey.

"To the NCTS Hampton Roads warfighters, both Sailors and Civilians. It has truly been my honor and privilege to serve you. I am grateful for each one of you. I appreciate your hard work, professionalism, and commitment. I am extremely impressed with all that you have accomplished and excited for what you will achieve. Our continued success is now and will always be where hard work and opportunity meet!" said Conner.

Capt. Bob Carmickle, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Atlantic (NCTAMS LANT) Commanding Officer, presided over the ceremony, praising Conner for his exceptional leadership and dedication to the command.

“Capt. Conner, you have done a remarkable job leading this team! From the very beginning, Brian made an immediate positive impact. Despite all the trials and tribulations, Brian led the command out of an extremely dynamic COVID-19 operating environment and was able to put safety first while maintaining 100% mission continuity across six 24/7 watch floors operating the largest Network Operations Center in the Navy. He displayed exceptional leadership during the highly-visible Unified Atlantic Region Network Operations Center (UARNOC) transition to NCTAMS LANT and the acquisition of the Fixed Submarine Broadcast System (FSBS) Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) mission which led to the restructuring of your command and a major shift missions. Brian, you are truly a skilled sailor and an exceptional leader. Thank you for all you have done for NCTS Hampton Roads, NCTAMS LANT, FLTCYBERCOM, and the Navy. Congratulations on a successful command tour.” said Carmickle. “Craig, congratulations on your assignment and on command. To the civilians and sailors at Hampton Roads, Craig is an accomplished Officer who stands ready to lead from day one. You are in good hands. Craig, I look forward to your success at the command. I wish you the best going forward.”

Cmdr. Conner, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, enlisted in the Navy in 1996 as an Electronics Technician. He was commissioned through NROTC Unit Hampton Roads as Surface Warfare Officer (IP Option) and graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University in 2004. He attended the Naval Postgraduate School and earned a Master's degree in Information Technology Management. He is also a graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College.

Cmdr. Gilkey reports from duty as the Operations Officer for Task Force 1010 at the Naval Network Warfare Command.

"During my tenure, you can expect continued integration of the Fixed Submarine Broadcast Sites at Aguada, Lamoure, Grindavik, and Cutler into NCTS Hampton Roads. Concerning NC3, or Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications - I share the same vision with Skipper Conner: to establish NCTS Hampton Roads as the East Coast's NC3 site of excellence. We will continue to support Fleet Forces Command and Second Fleet staff through Radio Frequency and Internet Protocol (network) operations and equipment maintenance support. We will continue to support NCTAMSLANT with the final stages of the Unified Atlantic Region Network Operations Center (UARNOC) transition over to Building 913. In line with Get Real Get Better – expect to Self Assess our processes and the organization as a whole and see where we can fix or elevate barriers." said Gilkey.

Commander Gilkey is a native of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, who enlisted in the United States Navy in 1993 as a Hospital Corpsman. He was commissioned upon completion of a bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University in 2004, via the Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP), as a Surface Warfare Officer (IP Option). After earning his Surface Warfare Officer qualification, he transferred to the Information Professional community in 2005. He completed a master's degree at Naval Postgraduate School in Information Systems Operations and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

NCTS Hampton Roads delivers responsive, resilient, and secure operational and tactical C2 capabilities worldwide, maintaining information superiority for global maritime, joint, and coalition forces operating in multi-domain environments and operationally reports to Commander 10th Fleet via Task Force 1010, Naval Network Warfare Command, and NCTAMS LANT.

• Date Taken: 06.15.2023
• Date Posted: 06.15.2023 14:16
• Story ID: 447303
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US