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USFF Closer to Maritime Operations Center Accreditation

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090320-05
Release Date: 3/20/2009 2:13:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Jerry Foltz, U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) conducted Maritime Operations Center (MOC) training for civilian and military personnel last week to move closer towards pre-accreditation as a MOC to support fleet operations.

MOCs are used Navywide at numbered fleets to effectively synchronize joint maritime operations by streamlining the planning, execution and assessment process.

"As we move forward, our goal is to get the Navy more engaged at the operational level rather than the tactical level as we have been in the past," said Capt. Mark J. Pawlak, USFF Maritime Operation Center transition director.

USFF's MOC enables them to respond to operational-level tasking more efficiently by maintaining a trained and ready staff to conduct routine Navy functions and combatant commander-assigned missions with a minor augmentation of personnel. This allows for a smoother transition to a Joint Task Force (JTF) or Joint Force Maritime Component Commander (JFMCC) role when assigned.

"In the past, each fleet would do things slightly different, which would involve more on-the-job training," said Pawlak. "[The MOC] helps us become better aligned to take a person at USFF and be able to plug them into a numbered fleet position a lot easier."

USFF's MOC will also be able to relay and leverage resources to and from other fleet MOCs. The improved linkage provides broader awareness between MOCs and enables effective strategic communication lines to coordinate resources and efforts.

"The goal is to try to keep a pulse on the current maritime domain across the world," said Pawlak.
"Improved flow of information between commands enables improved operational decisions from commanders."

MOC assessors recently conducted a preliminary review of USFF MOC processes. The accreditation review consisted of a baseline assessment of 44 core tasks that measured the organizational structure, academic training, planning, standard operating procedures, and the battle rhythm of the USFF MOC.

Exercises like Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield '09, and upcoming exercises HURREX '09 and Ardent Sentry '09, are used as 'MOC-stressing events' to test the responsiveness of a command's cross-functional coordination as well as coordinated responses between MOCs.

The MOC Accreditation Team will continue assessing USFF's MOC throughout the upcoming exercises. The process will culminate with Ardent Sentry '09 in June for USFF's pre-accreditation assessment.

For more news from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/clf/.