Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Changes Command

Rear Adm. Bradley Andros, from Poughkeepsie, New York, relieved Rear Adm. Joseph DiGuardo Jr., from Fallston, Maryland, as commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), during a ceremony at Assault Craft Unit 4 onboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.
 
DiGuardo, who took command of NECC in September 2020, thanked those in attendance and around the force.
 
“You have consistently lived up to a warrior ethos that has enabled our Nation to deliver combat credible capability across the full spectrum on naval, joint, and combined operations.  You have led the way to clear, secure, build, and protect where our Nation and Allies have needed it most,” said DiGuardo.
  
During his tour, DiGuardo led the Navy’s single functional command for 20,000 Active Duty and Reserve expeditionary forces and had central management for the readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of those forces.  
 
Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces command, presided over the ceremony and lauded the success of DiGuardo’s tenure at NECC. He also expressed his enthusiasm for how Andros will guide the command moving forward.
 
“Your singular drive for excellence and efficiency, along with your exemplary leadership, were absolutely essential in advancing the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command team into what we see here today – a forward leaning, highly-trained, adaptive team of steely-eyed warfighters,” said Caudle.
 
Andros comes to NECC following a tour as director J10 Directorate of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction, U.S. Special Operations Command.
 
“I am confident you are the right leader at the right time to take [DiGuardo’s] NECC achievements to even greater heights,” said Caudle. “I’ll give you the same advice I give every commander I’ve been fortunate enough to lead. Take charge. Lead boldly with grit, tenacity and innovation.”
 
A career explosive ordnance disposal officer, Andros, issued his charge to the force.
 
 “Our mission is clear: design, develop, generate; and when called upon, employ a prompt and sustained warfighting capability to support fleet operations,” said Andros.  “We will be known as a command with a bias towards action, and be measured not by activity, but by the readiness of our subordinate units and the effect they have in performing their missions.”
 
The ceremony also coincided with DiGuardo’s retirement, following more than 35 years of naval service. 
 
“The opportunity to lead this group of expeditionary warriors has truly been the highlight of my career,” said DiGuardo. “I want to thank each and every one of you for the tremendous work you have done, not only for NECC, but for our nation and the countless partners and allies with whom you’ve forged unbreakable bonds.”  
 
NECC organizes, mans, trains, equips and sustains Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces to execute combat, combat support and combat service support missions across the full spectrum of naval, joint, and combined operations, enabling access from the sea and freedom of action throughout the littorals and inland operating environments.