Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Tulare Native Completes Tour as Commanding Officer of U.S. Navy Telecommunications Station in Japan

By Navy Office of Community Outreach

YOKOSUKA, Japan - Navy Capt. Joaquin Steve Correia, a 1991 Union High School graduate and native of Tulare, California, will turn over command of U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Far East (NCTS Far East) located in Yokosuka, Japan, to Capt. Jenna K. Hausvik at a change of command ceremony on Jan. 23, 2020.

Correia, who has 24 years of Naval service, had a successful two-year tour as commanding officer at NCTS Far East.

"This tour as commanding officer of NCTS Far East was the highlight of my Navy career," Correia said. "I was amazed daily by the professionalism and dedication of our sailors and civilian employees."

NCTS Far East's mission is to operate and defend mission-critical Navy networks and communications systems necessary for U.S. Naval, Joint, and Coalition Commanders to conduct secure command and control in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) theater of operations.

Correia said he enjoyed the challenges of his tour at NCTS Far East.

"Our adversaries are attacking our networks," Correia said. "They are good at what they do. We’ve had to match them by becoming better at defending our networks. We’ve done that, but it will be a continuing challenge moving forward.”

Correia, a 1996 University of San Diego graduate with a degree in computer science, joined the Navy to see the world and money for college, but had no idea he would be given the opportunities for both of the things that he has been.

"I’ve been stationed all over the world and the Navy has funded several degrees for me," Correia said. "Most importantly, my Navy service has giving me a deep sense of purpose. While there have been challenges, my Navy experience has enriched my life in so many ways.“

Correia is reporting to Carrier Strike Group FIVE, embarked on USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered supercarrier, where he will serve as Information Warfare Commander.

He is the son of Joaquim and Lucille Correia of Tulare, California.