Mayor visits Navy command
Published 10:57 pm Thursday, March 6, 2014
![Rear Adm. Diane E. H. Webber, commander of U.S. Navy Cyber Forces, which moved into the former U.S. Joint Forces Command facility in North Suffolk, presents Mayor Linda T. Johnson with a “command coin,” during a visit by the mayor and other city officials. (U.S. Navy photo by Robin Hicks)](https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/03/140225-N-XS652-072.jpg)
Rear Adm. Diane E. H. Webber, commander of U.S. Navy Cyber Forces, which moved into the former U.S. Joint Forces Command facility in North Suffolk, presents Mayor Linda T. Johnson with a “command coin,” during a visit by the mayor and other city officials. (U.S. Navy photo by Robin Hicks)
Civilian and military partners exchanged gifts when the commander of U.S. Navy Cyber Forces hosted a city delegation at North Suffolk’s Lakeview Technology Park recently.
At the former U.S. Joint Forces Command facility off College Drive, Rear Adm. Diane E.H. Webber hosted Mayor Linda T. Johnson, City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn, Deputy City Manager Patrick Roberts and Assistant Director of Economic Development Gregory Byrd.
The command is one of four technology-related Navy commands that have relocated to the buildings.
Taking place late last month, the visit was the mayor’s first since the command moved to North Suffolk from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach in October, according to a Navy news release.
Topics discussed included the command’s relocation efforts, opportunities for Suffolk and other Hampton Roads businesses as a result of the move, and opportunities for Navy Cyber Forces to partner with the local community, according to the Navy.
Four technology-related commands — the Naval Network Warfare Command, NNWC Global Network Operations Center Detachment, Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command and Navy Cyber Forces — moved into the North Suffolk site last year after the 2011 disestablishment of U.S. Joint Forces Command left some of the buildings empty. In June 2012, the city reported the total number of jobs in the cyber commands to be nearly 1,000, with an estimated annual payroll of $88.9 million.
“It is an honor to welcome the Navy Cyber Forces command to the city of Suffolk where their new base of operations will be a boon to our community’s neighborhoods, retail, dining and service industries,” Johnson reportedly said.
“We look forward to forging a long-lasting partnership founded upon mutual support, admiration and commitment to service.”
According to the release, Webber remarked, “We are very happy to be aboard in our new facilities and to be part of the community here in Suffolk. It’s a wonderful location, close to many amenities which our staff is excited to explore.”
Johnson presented Webber with a glass peanut signifying Suffolk’s ties to the peanut industry, while Byrd presented a welcome basket containing locally made products.
But neither did the city delegation leave the meeting empty-handed. Webber gave the mayor a compass, command coin and commemorative photograph of her visit, according to the release.