In a February 6, 2014 meeting with Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (CUSFFC), Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CPF), Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Commander/Commander U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F), and the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance (OPNAV N2/N6), the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert approved the establishment of the Navy Information Dominance Forces Command (NAVIDFOR), the Navy’s newest type commander. The CNO signed the formal approval on March 4.
NAVIDFOR’s initial operating capability (IOC) is set for Oct. 1, 2014; final operating capability (FOC) is Dec. 31, 2014. It will be headquartered in Suffolk, Va., and commanded by an Information Dominance Corps two-star flag officer (1860) who will report directly to CUSFFC. Building on the existing Navy Cyber Force footprint in San Diego, NAVIDFOR will develop an appropriately sized West Coast presence to support Pacific Fleet Information Dominance readiness.
NAVIDFOR’s mission is “to support Combatant Commanders and Navy Commanders ashore and afloat by providing forward deployable, sustainable, combat-ready Information Dominance forces.”
NAVIDFOR will incorporate the current Navy Cyber Forces Command and integrate the TYCOM-like functions performed by OPNAV N2/N6, FCC/C10F, the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) and the Navy Meteorology and Oceanographic Command (NMOC). With this integrated man, train and equip (MT&E) portfolio, NAVIDFOR will coordinate closely with the platform TYCOMs to deliver enhanced Information Dominance capability and readiness to the fleet. Unlike the conventional TYCOMs, however, NAVIDFOR will take a larger role in coordinating Information Dominance-related MT&E for the rest of the Navy, afloat and ashore, given the pervasiveness of the network.
Way Ahead
In anticipation of CNO’s approval, Navy Cyber Forces established an Implementation Execution Team (IET) in January 2014 to begin the process of standing up the command. The team includes representatives from OPNAV N2/N6, CUSFFC, CPF, FCC/C10F, ONI, NMOC and the IDC Reserve Command (IDCRC).
The IET is closely examining the MT&E-related missions, functions and tasks associated with Information Dominance and determining a phasing plan through which associated resources will transfer to NAVIDFOR by FOC. The team is also examining NAVIDFOR’s supporting relationships with the rest of the Navy (i.e., beyond readiness afloat), as well as requirements for an office on the West Coast. These relationships, as well as the command’s mission, functions and tasks will be formalized in a USFFC instruction.
NAVIDFOR’s establishment is the next step in the evolution of Information Dominance as a Navy warfighting discipline.
FOR MORE NAVY INFORMATION DOMINANCE NEWS
FCC/10TH FLEET – http://www.fcc.navy.mil/
NETWARCOM – http://www.netwarcom.navy.mil/
NAVCYBERFOR – http://www.cyberfor.navy.mil/
OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE – www.oni.navy.mil.
NAVAL METEOROLOGY and OCEANOGRAPHY COMMAND - http://www.public.navy.mil/fltfor/cnmoc/Pages/cnmoc_page1.aspx
CENTER FOR INFORMATION DOMINANCE - https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ceninfodom/
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