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Task Force 12 Brings New Technology to Undersea Warfare

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030619-11

Release Date: 6/19/2003 4:00:00 PM

By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) David Rush, Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- As the 21st century unfolds, technological advances in warfare remain at the forefront of the evolutionary process of modern warfare.

The U.S. Navy submarine force, in conjunction with surface and air assets, has developed the capability to allow for real time theater response by the right assets, at precisely the right time, with the intended results.

In the event of potential hostilities, commanders at and under sea are ready to answer the call to duty, no matter what the mission, thanks in large part to the formation of the Theater Undersea Warfare Commander (TUSWC). There are four TUSWCs worldwide.

In response to the potential threat, the primary responsibility of the Eastern Pacific TUSWC, under the direction of Commander, Task Force (CTF) 12, is to provide the capability and capacity to achieve assured access, undersea superiority and preparation of the maritime battle space.

As an integral part of the Navy's anti-submarine warfare (ASW) team, including the Anti-Submarine Warfare Improvement Program, or ASWIP, and the recently chartered Pacific Fleet ASW Council of Captains, CTF-12 has set the course for current and future anti-submarine warfare operations to effectively counter sub-surface threats, and clear the way for carrier strike groups and expeditionary strike groups.

Due to the potential threat to carrier strike groups, CTF-12 is directing an initiative designed to focus on real-time connectivity of various assets, to work together as a highly organized and effective team.

According to Capt. Robert Ford, chief of staff, CTF-12, the primary mission for CTF-12 is to not only to provide intelligence and enhanced situational awareness for U.S. Navy assets before entering an area for contingencies, but also to make sure the same assets are ready for anything they may encounter.

"A big part of what we do at CTF-12 is to help train the forces to deal with this threat. We train our carrier strike groups. As a standing order, they will do a big anti-submarine exercise with CTF-12 in Hawaiian waters. What we try to do is approximate the type of scenario that they might face, if they had to sail into harm's way in a hostile situation facing a number of potential adversary submarines in the Pacific," said Ford.

A new type of highly capable, diesel-powered submarine, well recognized by ASW professionals for its stealth and potency, has taken center stage as the premier potential adversary beneath the surface of the world's oceans.

"Diesel submarines pose a real problem. It's a formidable threat when you think of what a diesel powered submarine can do. They're very quiet when running on batteries, and they can remain submerged for extended periods of time, from days to weeks. With the advent of air independent propulsion, the need to come up and recharge their batteries is drastically reduced," Ford added.

In addition to their ability to remain quiet and nearly undetectable, according to Ford, they can also pack a serious punch. "It's a very capable platform. Some are outfitted so they can bottom themselves and remain motionless for extended periods of time. They have mining capability; some of them have cruise missiles. They are a very difficult threat, something we haven't faced," said Ford.

In order to effectively engage a potential threat, training in detection, launching countermeasures or weapons, and evasion are fundamental capabilities required by U.S. Navy assets. The only way to effectively train as if it were the real thing is to use the very platform that may pose such a threat to U.S. Navy and allied navy forces.

"Exercises like Rim of the Pacific and others where we have access to actual allied diesel submarines are so very important. That's why we put so much effort into them to gain the maximum amount of benefit, so we can learn more and seize that opportunity to see how we stack up against a diesel threat," said Ford.

Rear Adm. Jon Greenert, deputy commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited the TUSWC for a tour and a presentation. "Their capabilities should meet our needs for our undersea warfare requirements in the Pacific. It's the number one warfighting priority for Adm. (Walter F.) Doran (commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet)," said Greenert.