CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Tribune News Service) — Col. Jay McGee has taken command of the National Ground Intelligence Center based out of the Rivanna Station U.S. Army installation, just north of Charlottesville. He replaced Col. Eric Haas, who took command in 2023.

A change-of-command ceremony took place July 18 and was attended by senior Army leaders, NGIC personnel, family and their guests. The press was not invited, as is often the case at the secretive operation.

“This ceremony is a routine event occurring every two years, marking the official leadership handover within the brigade,” NGIC spokeswoman Rita McIntosh told The Daily Progress. “While leadership may change, NGIC’s mission remains steadfast: to produce and provide intelligence on foreign ground forces, ensuring decision advantage through competition, crisis, and conflict.”

NGIC, a part of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command and the U.S. Army’s primary center for intelligence, provides technical and military analysis of foreign ground forces and delivers critical intelligence to support operational readiness and national decision making.

“For the past two years, Haas has carried on that proud legacy by delivering comprehensive foundational military intelligence during global conflicts and responding rapidly to a wide range of information and support requests from across the Department of Defense and the federal government,” Maj. Gen. Timothy Brown, commanding general of INSCOM, said in a statement announcing the change of command.

Brown also credited Haas with working to rebuild connections within the workforce following the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening NGIC’s ties with its neighbors in the Charlottesville area, particularly the University of Virginia.

“In the wake of COVID-19, Haas set out to rebuild the connective tissues across NGIC — creating opportunities to socialize and create lasting memories,” Brown said. “He further built stronger ties across the Albemarle and Charlottesville communities — ensuring NGIC is the ideal place to be an intelligence professional.”

Haas will report to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for his next assignment.

McGee, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“Jay brings with him a wealth of experience,” Brown said. “We know you are ready for this challenge, and you will take phenomenal care of the mission, the soldiers, the civilians and the family members of the National Ground Intelligence Center.”

Change of command

Col. Jay McGee, center, hands the brigade colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Nicholson, right, July 18, 2025, at a change-of-command ceremony at the National Ground Intelligence Center at Rivanna Station in Albemarle County. McGee was named the center’s new commanding officer at the ceremony.

McGee has served for more than two decades in military intelligence, and his career includes combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and leadership roles at Fort Stewart, Fort Bliss, South Korea and Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

“NGIC’s mission is vital to our nation’s security,” McGee said in a statement. “I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead this talented team and grateful for the foundation laid by Haas. I’m proud to serve alongside professionals whose insight protects warfighters and shapes national decisions. Thank you to my family and those who guided me — your love is my strength — and to the Charlottesville community for your warm welcome and enduring support.”

McGee declined a Daily Progress interview request via McIntosh due to his pressing schedule.

Rivanna Station has been NGIC’s home since 2001. The Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Joint-Use Intelligence Analysis Facility can also be found there.

After rumors emerged that the operations at Rivanna Station might move to St. Louis two year ago, Albemarle County approved $58 million for the purchase of 462 acres surrounding the installation. The acquisition will allow for private enterprises — including defense contractors and academic partners as well as day cares and laundromats — to move into the area.

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