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Naval Meteorology Focused on Naval Operations

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100131-04
Release Date: 1/31/2010 10:52:00 PM

By George Lammons, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Public Affairs

ATLANTA (NNS) -- Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC) chief of staff explained to delegates at the American Meteorological Society's annual meeting, Jan. 18 in Atlanta the role the command plays in Navy operations.

"It's all about making the right decision for our people and our nation," said Rear Adm. Jonathan White.
"We are a big part of the fight today."

According to White, the environment can play a determining factor in the success or failure of a particular mission, and if weather and ocean forecasts are incorporated into operational decision-making, commanders can account for and even take advantage of environmental conditions.

NMOC is a significant part of the Navy's operational decision-making process, using a concept called Battlespace on Demand (BonD). In the BonD process, forecasters start with environmental data, develop forecasts from that data, then assess how platforms, weapons systems and personnel will perform under the forecast conditions in the specific time, and then make a decision.

Through this BonD process, Navy forecasters give operational commanders decision superiority – the ability to make better decisions faster than potential adversaries.

"If we do not tie the forecast to the decision, we are not doing our jobs as naval meteorologists and oceanographers," White said.

The idea of operational decision-making based on environmental forecasts is gaining traction and making an impact in the fleet, evidenced by Navy forecasters assisting in the prosecution of piracy off the coast of Africa by showing areas where small pirate vessels are most likely to operate.

NMOC is also modifying its ship routing operation to account for fuel consumption and a variety of other factors. Sailors with the command have long provided ship routes to military vessels, information based on weather forecast and ocean conditions. In addition to avoiding hazardous weather, routers factor in fuel consumption and a variety of other factors. Ship operators can then make decisions based on their operational requirements.

Aviation forecasting remains the foundation of the command's activity and that despite the wars and higher profile Navy operations, NMOC Sailors continue to work to keep the fleet safe, ashore and at sea.

For more news from Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnmoc/