NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — In a low-key ceremony, the former commander of the Commander Fleet Readiness Centers, known as COMFRC, took the helm of the Program Executive Office for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)) on July 11 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.

Rear Adm. CJ Jaynes became the ninth program executive officer for PEO(A) when she relieved Rear Adm. Paul Grosklags at the change of command ceremony in the Rear Adm. William A. Moffett Building.

Jaynes said she looks forward to her new role leading PEO(A), where she will manage approximately $61.4 billion, oversee about 40 percent of the naval aviation aircraft inventory and lead a team of more than 200 personnel, with extended teams totaling over 5,000 personnel.

“In today’s fiscal environment, our acquisition professionals are facing their biggest challenge in years,” Jaynes said. “We are responsible and accountable for naval aviation resources and ensuring our warfighters continue to receive the finest aircraft and weapon systems possible. It is an honor for me to lead this outstanding organization into the future.”

Beyond her role as commander of COMFRC, Jaynes’ previous dual-role assignment included functioning as the assistant commander for Logistics and Industrial Operations.

Jaynes graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education, followed by a master’s degree in mathematics in 1982. She was commissioned in March 1983 via the Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., and was designated an aeronautical engineering (maintenance) duty officer in 1985. She was designated an Acquisition Professional Community member in 1996 and received a master’s in business administration from Norwich University in 2008.

Grosklags, who has led PEO(A) since November 2011, was confirmed by the Senate for promotion to vice admiral in May. His next assignment is as the principal military deputy assistant secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition), where he will relieve Vice Adm. Mark Skinner, who is scheduled to retire.

“It’s truly been my pleasure to work with the nine program office teams and a great staff in PEO(A),” Grosklags said. “Across the board, they have taken on the challenge of providing capability to the fleet more affordably and more quickly – and they have been successful. Each program faces unique challenges on a daily basis, but it is incredible to watch the dedication with which individual team members take on these challenges, while always maintaining their focus on providing and sustaining the capabilities required by our Sailors and Marines.”