Honoring Captain Joe Sears, Commodore CWG-SIX

Tomorrow Captain Joe Sears will be relieved by Captain Holly Yudisky as the Commodore, Cryptologic Warfare Group-SIX.

Captain Sears served as Commodore Cryptologic Warfare Group-SIX and Commander Task Force 1060, from May 2019 to September 2021. Below are some of Captain Sears’ accomplishments while serving CWG-SIX/CTF 1060.

Lead CTF 1060 Distributed Signals Intelligence (DSO)/Direct Support (DIRSUP) Operations Fleet Information Operation Center (FIOC) ensuring 24-hour indications and warning, as well as reach-back support to deployed forces globally.
Operationally, Cryptologic Warfare Maritime Activity SIXTY ONE (CWMA-61) FIOC watch participated in 36 major exercises and provided support to four separate geopolitical events that satisfied requirements levied by the highest echelons of military and national security organizations. Additionally, FIOC responded to 600+ requests for information (RFIs) from Fleet, joint, and national customers.
Created the “Commodore’s Warfighting Seminar” for CWG-6 and six Activities Cryptologic Warfare Officers. Leading monthly seminars emphasizing renewed focus on Great Power Competition (GPC) with the goal of reestablishing the Wardroom’s baseline warfare knowledge to include the role of information warfare across the spectrum of conflict.
Executed global cryptologic direct support (DIRSUP) missions augmenting 30 Cryptologic DIRSUP Element teams on-board 24 Fleet combatants deploying 112 Sailors for a total of 2,009 days supporting Chief of Naval Operations (CNO)-directed operations in Commander, FIFTH Fleet (C5F), Commander, SIXTH Fleet (C6F), and Commander, SEVENTH Fleet (C7F) areas of operation. Deployed 77 Sailors for a total of 7,875 days supporting C5F, C6F, and C7F.
CWG-6 Detachment (DET) Digby/CTG 1060.2. As part of FIOC United Kingdom (UK), the detachment greatly improved collaboration between US Navy (USN) and Royal Navy (RN) forces while supporting C6F, C10F, and the RN forces worldwide. Supported planning for the UK’s Carrier Strike Group 2021, the maiden deployment of the Queen Elizabeth as well as coordinated with the RN to provide 10 DIRSUP teams for deployment onboard 10 RN platforms.
During unprecedented COVID-19 impacts, drove CWG-6 processes and personnel to rapidly evolve to National, Naval, and Fort Meade Garrison policies to protect the force. Flawlessly led stand-up of a COVID Task Force to compile reporting COVID statistics and establish Stop Movement Waivers and Restriction of Movement (ROM) procedures.
Since September 2019, Fort Meade Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) supported over 10,000 Sailors and family members in the Fort Meade community by providing 5600 individual client sessions for 9400 participants while also transitioning to virtual platforms in response to COVID-19.
Directed CWG-6’s Honors and Ceremonies Division, which was recognized for outstanding support to Naval Heritage across Military District Washington. Team remained first choice among nine Navy commands as they flawlessly executed 168 events.
Managed the Command Educational Service Officer (ESO) providing Navy Wide Advancement Exams (NWAE) administering 3,540 advancement exams with an advancement rate of 48.78%, 23.89% above the Navy-wide rate of 24.89% to include safely testing 1600 Sailors iaw COVID-19 restrictions.
Despite restrictions to in-person learning due to COVID-19 restrictions, ensured CWG-6 Command Language Program Manager implemented a strong pivot to virtual language training; facilitating 300 Significant Language Training Events to satisfy annual Cryptologic Technician Interpretive (CTI) language training requirements and maintain 91% readiness.