History of the National/Naval Ice
Center:
The close association between NOAA and the U. S. Navy began in
1956 with the collocation of the National Weather Bureau and U.S.
Fleet
Weather Central, Suitland in Federal Building #4 at the Suitland
Federal Complex. One result of this move was close cooperation
between
the Navy and Department of Commerce to maximize productivity and
efficient use of resources without duplicating effort. Later development
of weather satellites and the resultant impact of satellite imagery
in meteorology and oceanography led to the formation of NESDIS.
The value of satellite imagery to global ice analyses and forecasts
contributed to the formation of the Joint Ice Center in 1976,
comprised
of personnel from NOAA (NESDIS) and the Navy (Fleet Weather Facility,
Suitland, MD). In 1995, the Joint Ice Center became the National
Ice Center as it expanded to include the U. S. Coast Guard. Coast
Guard aircraft, icebreakers, and Marine Safety Offices contribute
valuable platforms for onsite aerial and ship observations, as
well as accurate and timely ship and station reports. Today, interagency
cooperation produces rich dividends as the Naval Ice Center (NAVICECEN),
NOAA, and the Coast Guard work together to operate the National
Ice
Center
and accomplish the national mission of providing global ice analyses
and forecasts. The Commanding Officer of
NAVICECEN also serves as the Director of
the National Ice Center. Additionally, the NIC enjoys a
close international
relationship and data exchange with the Canadian Ice Service and
the Canadian Meteorological Centre of Environment Canada. The
incredible
value of joint agency and international cooperation are clearly
evident at the NIC. The NIC stands ready to tackle tomorrow's
challenges
with the same vigor demonstrated throughout its distinguished history.