New commander takes charge of SEALs - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

New commander takes charge of SEALs

SAN DIEGO — Command of the Navy SEAL community changed hands Thursday when Rear Adm. Sean Pybus took the reins of the Naval Special Warfare Command, the Navy announced.

Pybus, a veteran SEAL officer, replaced Rear Adm. Edward Winters III as commander of the Coronado-based force during a ceremony held at the naval special warfare headquarters.

Winters, who took command in September 2008, is heading to Iraq where he will serve as the deputy chief of the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq. A graduate of BUD/S Class 112 in 1981, he has commanded various units including SEAL Team 4, Naval Special Warfare Development Group and a joint task force in Afghanistan.

Among initiatives implemented during his tenure was an expansion of family support programs.

“Our strategy cannot be executed without focused support of our warriors and their families,” Winters told the crowd, according to Navy News release. “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.”

Pybus arrived after a tour as commander of Special Operations Command-Pacific. A graduating member of BUD/S Class 105, he has commanded several units including a tour as commodore of Coronado-based Naval Special Warfare Group 1.

“I’m proud to follow the legacy you have built here and on the battlefield,” he said in remarks at the ceremony.

Pybus takes over a naval special warfare community of about 8,300, which includes 2,300 active-duty SEALs, 600 special warfare combatant-craft crewmen, 900 reservists, 3,650 support personnel and 880 civilian workers. The command is the maritime component of U.S. Special Operations Command.