NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain – Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Bahrain held a change of command ceremony July 7 at the Naval Support Activity Bahrain Chapel.

Vice Adm. Jan E. Tighe, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F), presided over the ceremony in which Cmdr. Cesar G. Rios relieved Cmdr. Julia L. Slattery as commanding officer of NIOC Bahrain.

“Captain [select] Slattery, since taking the helm in 2012 as commanding officer, your inspirational leadership drove operational vigilance vital to protecting and empowering our Navy, coalition, and Joint forces,” said Tighe. “Your oversight of Fleet Cyber Command Information Warfare operations ensured detailed understanding of the operational environment, enabled responsiveness and foresight in operations, and delivered real-time threat warning to forces throughout the region.”

Capt. James Brokaw, commanding officer, Navy Information Operations Command Georgia, was the guest speaker. Of Cmdr. Slattery, he acknowledged “you have worked hard over the last two years and have accomplished much. You have been exactly the type of leader the Navy needs in an operational command. You can be proud of your successes, and we are proud of you.”

Welcoming the new commander, Brokaw said “Commander Rios, I’ve known you for years have followed your career with pleasure. It will be great to have you at the helm of the task group. You’ve got a tough job, but you’ve got a great crew and I know that you’re going to have a successful tour.”

During the ceremony, Slattery thanked her Sailors for a rewarding tour and acknowledged the support her family has provided throughout the years.

“The expectation I had two years ago was surpassed in seconds. You were everything I hoped for and more. Quite simply, you delivered. It did not matter when or where, what gear, what platform, or how complicated. You executed information warfare operations with precision and skill,” said L. Slattery.

Slattery is transferring to the National Defense University’s Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Rios just completed his tour onboard the staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / Commander, Fifth Fleet where he served as the Deputy Director for Intelligence and Force Cryptologist. He also served as Chief of Operations and Branch Chief of the Terrorism and Illicit Activities Analysis Branch, Joint Intelligence Center, U.S. Central Command, and Chief of Assessments in the ISR Division.

Cmdr. Slattery “has left me a command that’s exceptionally trained, operationally focused, motivated, and most importantly, ready to fight and win as evidenced by the outstanding work they’re doing today.” said Rios.

Rios, a Nogales, Arizona, native, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. Rios also attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where he received a Master of Science Degree in Systems Engineering, specializing in information warfare.

NIOC Bahrain provides information warfare capabilities in direct support of U.S. Central Command combat operations and to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet for the safe positioning of naval forces in the Arabian Gulf.

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