Photo By Clinton Beaird | At center and far left (respectively), Rear Admiral Scott Robertson, commander Naval...... read more read more
Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), congratulated the Navy’s first Surface Warfare Officers (SWOs) qualified as Mine Warfare (MIW) Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) on Thursday, April 16 at a ceremony onboard Naval Base Point Loma, Harbor Drive Annex.
The first MIW WTIs completed 32-weeks of rigorous classroom instruction, mission planning, and scenarios focused on critical application of the Navy’s most cutting-edge tactics and technologies in mine warfare.
Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Easton, Lt. Cmdr. Brandon Moody, Lt. Roxanne Sumanga, Lt. Brandon Easler and Lt. Tom Campbell began their qualification with SMWDC’s instructor and tactics course (I/TC) onboard Naval Station San Diego on August 5, 2019. They completed the last of their training (NATO staff officer course) March 20, 2020 onboard NATO school Ecole de Guerre des Mines (Eugermin) - translates as Naval Mine Warfare School – located in Oostende, Belgium.
The curriculum is designed to develop each element of the WTI “Warrior, Thinker, Teacher” model through an emphasis on tactical simulations, immersion in doctrinal Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), and the development of instructor skills through threat briefs and Capstone presentations. Students completed MIW staff officer, principal warfare officer, amphibious warfare immersion, aviation mine countermeasure airborne systems, mining, and NATO integration training.
“We are operating innovatively with all required precautions so that we can continue our mission of increasing Fleet lethality and tactical proficiency,” said Robertson. “Mine warfare is a critically important warfare area, and I am proud that as we continue – to develop WTIs, deliver advanced tactical training and operational support to the Fleet – we are growing and learning as an organization.”
Following all guidelines for reducing the spread of coronavirus, SMWDC conducted the WTI graduation ceremony with the minimum number of personnel, and maintained social distancing.
After earning qualification, WTIs complete a production tour, where they bring their skills to bear providing advanced tactical training, developing tactics and doctrine, providing operational support, and developing capability assessments. Campbell will complete his production tour as an instructor at Eugermin; the other MIW WTIs will complete their production tour assigned to SMWDC headquarters and SMWDC’s MIW Division in San Diego.
WTIs are a key element of accomplishing SMWDC’s mission. Through a range of operations from updating doctrine and TTP, to providing training ashore and afloat during Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) events and similar exercises, WTIs are shaping doctrine and its implementation in the Fleet. SMWDC’s long-term goal is to have at least one WTI onboard every ship as a department head.
SWOs interested in professional growth and development with opportunities to increase the Fleet’s readiness and lethality can email the WTI program managers at SWO_WTI@navy.mil.
SMWDC is a subordinate command of Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. SMWDC headquarters is located onboard Naval Base San Diego and has four divisions located in Virginia and California focused on MIW, Anti-Submarine Warfare / Surface Warfare, Amphibious Warfare, and Integrated Air and Missile Defense.
| Date Taken: | 04.20.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2020 18:25 |
| Story ID: | 367871 |
| Location: | NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, HARBOR DRIVE ANNEX, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 747 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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