Watson takes command of the Joint Communications Support Element

  • Published
  • By Whitney Williams
  • Joint Communications Support Element
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  On July 27, 2012, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stephen Corcoran relinquished command of the Joint Communications Support Element to U.S. Army Col. Kirby Watson in a ceremony at JCSE headquarters, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Corcoran was the first U.S. Marine Corps commander in JCSE's 50 year history.

As one of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command's three subordinate joint commands, JCSE provides rapidly deployable, en-route, early entry and scalable command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities across the full spectrum of operations in order to facilitate rapid establishment of joint force headquarters. JCSE can deploy globally within hours of notification to provide communications packages tailored to the specific needs of a full joint task force headquarters and to a joint special operations task force.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott A. Stearney, the Commander of the JECC and the presiding officer at the ceremony, spoke of JCSE's many accomplishments the past three years under Corcoran's superb leadership.

"By all measures the last three years have been as successful as any period in the last 50 years," Stearney stated. "The reason for this success is the culture that's reinforced by all echelons of leadership within [the Joint Communications Support Element.]"
Stearney went on to explain some of JCSE's most notable achievements including a large role supporting the drawdown of forces from Iraq following the completion of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn. JCSE members were some of the first boots on the ground following the initial flow of U.S. forces to Iraq in 2003 and maintained a constant presence in the country for the next eight years.

Over 2,000 JCSE members have rotated through Iraq in support of OIF/OND and as U.S. troops withdrew from Iraq in December 2011, JCSE supported the extensive withdrawal and redistribution of the many communications systems and equipment at various U.S. bases. JCSE members were some of the last U.S. personnel to leave the country, ensuring communication assets were disconnected, secured and safely arrived at their follow-on locations.

Stearney also mentioned JCSE's support during various real-world operations such as Joint Task Force - Haiti and Operation Tomodachi. JCSE has provided extensive joint communications expertise to each of the nine different combatant commands around the world, whether in the form of operational mission assistance or exercise support.

Corcoran, who will retire following his tour at JCSE, took a few moments to thank his fellow team members for the generous support he received while leading JCSE.

"To the [Joint Communications Support Element], I have nothing but sincere gratitude for your focus and professionalism," Corcoran said. "You have given me every muscle fiber and every brain cell in the task that never ends ̶ the preparation for the chaotic and the unknown."

Watson joins JCSE from the U.S. Army Signal Center of Excellence where he served as the director of Concepts, Requirements and Doctrine Division.

Watson graduated from Lycoming College in 1988 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He has commanded the White House Communication Agencies' Special Missions Command, the 56th Signal Battalion which operates in South and Central America in support of U.S. Army South and was also assigned as the Deputy Brigade Commander of the 21st Signal Brigade.

The colonel holds master's degrees in Organizational Management and Strategic Studies from the University of Phoenix and has attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College as well as the U.S. Army War College.

His personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Joint Commendation Medal and the Army Commendation Medal, among others.