Mackley takes command of JITC with a mandate to 'go fast'

Navy Capt. Cameron J. Mackley assumed command of the Joint Interoperability Test Command from Navy Capt. Anthony T. Saxon during a ceremony at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, June 29 before a crowd of about 180 attendees at the Cochise Theater.

Roger Greenwell, director of Integration and Innovation and the DISA chief information officer, presided over the event and the transfer of authority.

Reflecting on his tenure, Saxon emphasized how the command's work directly impacts warfighter readiness.

"JITC is not just a test command; JITC is the place where national defense theory becomes operational reality," Saxon said. "If systems cannot communicate, the joint force cannot fight as one. If data cannot move securely, commanders cannot decide at speed."

He credited JITC's success to its testers, engineers, cyber analysts and mission partners. Under his leadership, the team transitioned a $1.1 billion contract ahead of schedule and led the move to the new Joint Warfighting Test Center, saving the military more than $400,000 annually.

Saxon, a 1999 Naval Academy graduate, guided the organization through complex technical upgrades and challenges during his tour.

The ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter under Mackley. A fellow Naval Academy graduate, Mackley also holds a master's degree in information technology management from the Naval Postgraduate School.

The Boulder City, Nevada, native brings a strong mix of military and technical experience to the role. He previously served as the combat systems information officer on the USS Ronald Reagan and arrives at JITC after a tour as the executive officer at Naval Network Warfare Command in Virginia.

Introducing the incoming commander, Greenwell said Mackley's unique background makes him the ideal officer to lead the organization forward.

"Leading JITC requires a rare blend of operational credibility and deep technical sophistication," Greenwell said. "He is a leader who is both a warfighter and a technologist … he understands the systems, the importance of the mission and more importantly, he understands the stakes at hand."

Taking the podium for the first time as commander, Mackley expressed his gratitude and outlined his vision for supporting joint forces across the Department of War.

"As DISA accelerates its efforts to modernize its technologies and speed and scale, including AI-enabled systems, JITC's role will only become more critical," Mackley said. "We must continue to grow and enhance our capabilities to make sure that these new, rapidly deployed systems always bring a truly interoperable equipment and weaponry to warfighters who may be actively in harm's way across the globe."

He committed to working closely with military partners to conduct the rigorous testing required to ensure critical tools remain secure, strong and fully ready for the battlefield.

Greenwell echoed the need for speed and innovation when delivering his charge to the new commander.

"Cam, my charge to you is straightforward: you need to go fast. Accelerate our test cycles to match the speed of commercial software delivery," Greenwell said. "Push hard into AI-driven test automation and deepen our multi-domain integration across the joint force."

Closing out his remarks, Mackley thanked his predecessor for his leadership, advice and the strong foundation left behind.

"You've set a truly phenomenal standard," Mackley said, "and I'm honored to build upon the work you and this team have accomplished here."