{"id":18395,"date":"2023-07-11T13:50:53","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T13:50:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=18395"},"modified":"2023-07-12T06:41:30","modified_gmt":"2023-07-12T06:41:30","slug":"program-executive-office-aircraft-carriers-holds-change-of-office-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=18395","title":{"rendered":"Program Executive Office Aircraft Carriers Holds Change-of-Office Ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WASHINGTON \u2013 Rear Adm. Casey J. Moton relieved Rear Adm. James P. Downey as Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers (PEO CVN) during a change-of-office ceremony, July 7, at the Washington Navy Yard.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moton assumed leadership of PEO CVN after previously serving as the Program Executive Officer for Unmanned and Small Combatants (PEO USC).\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rear Adm. Moton recognized teammates from across the PEO CVN enterprise, representing Naval Reactors; industry, especially HII Newport News Shipbuilding; NAVSEA headquarters, Naval Shipyards, Warfare Centers, Regional Maintenance Centers, and the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Newport News; as well as partners at Naval Air Systems Command, \u00a0Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, and Naval Supply Systems Command.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people of PEO Aircraft Carriers have accomplished a long list of important milestones during [Downey\u2019s] tenure,\u201d said Moton.\u00a0 \u201cThe PEO team and our partners accomplished these things in a time of immense challenge, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent challenges to labor and supply chains.\u00a0 You\u2019ve accomplished this with a sense of urgency driven by Strategic Competition.\u00a0 Admiral Downey\u2019s steady hand has guided this team to these successes.\u201d<\/p>\n

A native of Woodbridge, Virginia, Moton is a 1991 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Over the course of his 34-year career, Moton has served across all phases of surface ship design and shipbuilding.\u00a0 In his most recent assignment as PEO USC, he was responsible for acquisition and sustainment of the Navy\u2019s expanding family of unmanned maritime systems, mine warfare systems, and small surface combatants.<\/p>\n

Earlier in his career, Moton led two major defense acquisition programs\u2014first, as Major Program Manager for Littoral Combat Ship Mission Modules, leading development and testing of mission packages for surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare; and later as Major Program Manager for the DDG 51 Program, where his team delivered the first five ships after the restart of DDG-51 production; and placed an additional 12 ships under contract, including the first Flight III Destroyers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Downey has been nominated to assume the role of Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command and the rank of Vice Admiral.\u00a0 He will transition to a temporary position as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN RDA) while awaiting confirmation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A Focus on Collaboration<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rear Adm. John F. Meier, U.S. Navy, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, delivered the ceremony\u2019s keynote address.\u00a0 As the type commander responsible for manning, training, and equipping all aircraft carriers based on the east coast, Meier spoke about the close and collaborative relationship he shared with Downey during his tenure as PEO CVN\u2014a partnership that Meier and Moton intend to continue.<\/p>\n

During his remarks, Meier stressed the importance of collaboration among the operators who fight the ships and fly the missions and the acquisition professionals who deliver the platforms and capabilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Rear Adm. Downey relieved Rear Adm. Antonio as PEO Aircraft Carriers in June 2019, I had just taken command of Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic,\u201d Meier recalled. \u00a0\u201cSince then, we\u2019ve collaborated on many initiatives to accelerate readiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRear Adm. Downey\u2019s efforts over the past four years will realize dividends for years to come,\u201d Meier said.\u00a0 \u201cOur nation and Navy are more prepared because of his service and dedication.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Honorable Fredrick J. \u201cJay\u201d Stefany, acting ASN RDA, served as presiding officer for the ceremony.\u00a0 During his remarks, Stefany underscored the critical role Rear Adm. Downey played in strengthening the partnerships among Navy and Industry leaders, program managers, planners, and deckplate shipbuilders.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral Downey was instrumental in keeping stakeholders focused on ensuring Gerald R. Ford would be ready for her current global deployment, as the centerpiece of Carrier Strike Group 12,\u201d said Stefany.<\/p>\n

Stefany also reiterated his confidence in Moton as the right leader to carry PEO CVN\u2019s momentum forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Navy is very lucky to have you moving your pennant from PEO USC to PEO Aircraft Carriers \u2026 a portfolio that is absolutely critical to America\u2019s maritime dominance,\u201d said Stefany.<\/p>\n

\u201cI look forward to seeing PEO CVN continue to flourish under your watch, hitting key milestones, and providing much-needed capability to our Fleet,\u201d Stefany added.<\/p>\n

Downey thanked his team of more than 200 professionals in the program office and praised the staff\u2019s passion and ability to collaborate, enabling the PEO to overcome one challenge after the next and \u201cget the hard work done.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen things get tough on the geo-political landscape, the front-loaded question is always, \u2018Where are the Carriers?\u2019\u201d said Downey, adding, \u201cThe work of delivering carriers and readiness to the fleet\u2014with a sense of urgency\u2014feeds our most immediate national security objectives.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Downey celebrated the significant milestones the PEO CVN team achieved during his tenure, which included:\u00a0<\/p>\n