Unique Ceremony Brings in New NSA/CSS Georgia Commander

By Sgt. Joshua A. Bowles, 706th MI Group Public AffairsAugust 12, 2013

Inspecting the Troops
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Gregory A. Mahoney, the deputy commander of NSA/CSS Georgia, Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Fogarty, commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, Col. Anthony E. Zeruto, incoming commander, NSA/CSS Georgia and Col. John M. Sw... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Change of Command
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FORT GORDON, Ga. -- Col. John M. Swartz relinquished command of the 706th Military Intelligence Group and NSA/CSS Georgia to Col. Anthony E. Zeruto during a change of command ceremony at Fort Gordon, Ga., July 19.

The ceremony was unique because the commander has dual responsibilities as both the commander of the 706th MI Group and as the NSA/CSS Georgia commander; as a result there were two passing of the colors during the ceremony.

A further unique feature of the ceremony was that for the first time there was also a simultaneous change of responsibility where Command Sgt. Maj. Pedro J. Ayala took over as the senior enlisted leader of the 706th MI Group and NSA/CSS Georgia from Command Sgt. Maj. Lisa M. Clair. This was the last assignment for Clair, who is retiring from the Army after 30 years of service.

Units involved in the ceremony included the 707th MI Battalion; Company D, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion; Navy Information Operations Command Georgia and the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group.

Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Fogarty, commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, was the reviewing officer. Brig. Gen. D. Scott George, deputy chief for the NSA/CSS, was the guest speaker.

"The 706th will remain in great hands," said Fogarty. "Assuming command today is Col. Anthony Zeruto. He is the consummate quiet professional; a true silent warrior. Anthony, I know you will serve these men and women in this vital command well and I am absolutely confident in your ability to provide the positive leadership required for mission success."

Col. Swartz, a Pennsylvania native, served as commander of the 706th MI Group from June 2010 to July 2013. He is retiring from the U.S. Army after 26 years of service and will be transitioning into the civilian sector.

"Today is a very important day for NSA/CSS Georgia as well as both the Swartz and Zeruto families," said George. "It is a bittersweet day in that we bid farewell to Col. Swartz and his family, but at the same time we enthusiastically welcome Col. Zeruto and his family to lead the Georgia Team."

George ended his remarks during the ceremony by welcoming the new commander.

"Tony, I challenge you to build upon the strong legacy you inherited," he said. "Trust your instincts; rely on your years of experience which have brought you this far, listen to your experts, Officers, Civilian, Senior and Junior Enlisted! Welcome to the Georgia Team! I have no doubt you will carry on the great traditions of NSA/CSS Georgia."

Previous assignments for Zeruto include: rifle platoon leader and anti-armor platoon leader for the 2-504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.; formed the 75th Ranger Regiment MI Detachment at Fort Benning, Ga.; deployed eight times in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom; J23 chief, Center for Special Operations for U.S. Special Operations Command; J2 for a Joint Counter Special Operations Task Force in support of OIF; and director of intelligence, U.S. Office of Military Support.