USS Midway MuseumContinuing Education Program

Tactical Flag Command Center(TFCC)

CAPT Frank Kelly, USN-RetDocent, USS Midway Museum

13 and 16 May 2015

Composite Warfare Commander (CWC) Concept: Evolution

• Rapid growth on potential air, surface, and subsurface threats in post Cold War world– Third world countries possess improved weapons– Reaction time decreases (esp. in Persian Gulf)

• Demands greater emphasis on decentralized authority– Alignment of commander with warfare area– Promote command by negation

IWC“AQ”

AWC“AW”

STRIKE“AP”

SUWC & USWC“AZ”

AREC“AR”

HEC“HEC”

SEC“SEC”

SC “SC”

SUPPLOT “AI”

CWC“AB”

Tactical Flag Command Center (TFCC)Warfare Doctrine*

• The Battle Watch Captain (BWC) and the TFCC provide the Composite Warfare Commander (CWC) with realtime Command and Control (C2)– Accomplished thru networks, tactical pictures and

situational awareness within each warfare area

• Teambuilding Approach is Central to Success– Use of syndicates is important in establishing relationships

across the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) or Battle Force• Adopt a “Band of Brothers” mentality

– Syndicates include: Warfare Commanders (WC), Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5I), Link, Command Tactical Picture, etc.

*NWP 356 Composite Warfare Doctrine, Chapter 10

TFCC Doctine (Cont.)• Balance of Information Flow– TFCC Keeps WCs informed of the Commander’s intent and

any supporting info to help execute the mission– WCs and other team members keep TFCC informed– One of BWC’s most important responsibilities is to monitor

good two-way communication flow between WCs and TFCC– Common situational awareness is vital in TFCC and CWs

• Mission-Type Orders are Key– The BWC and WC’s should avoid issuing tactical commands– Allows on scene CDR discretion on how to accomplish the

mission

Tactical Command and Control*• Tactical C2 systems integrate available real-time

sensor data and critical data bases into useful tactical pictures.

• Enables the Commander to:– Understand the battle space situation– Select a course of action– Issue intent and mission orders– Monitor the execution of operations– Evaluate the results– Report to higher authority (Unified Commander)

* Docent Reference Manual 2013 Edition

Situational AwarenessLINK

Surveillance Reconnaissance

Intelligence

Command Tactical Picture

MeteorologicalData

Communications

Ship’s Intelligence

Center (CVIC)

SupplementaryPlot (SUPPLOT)

Ship’s Signals Exploitation Space (SSES)

Combat Information Center (CIC)

Flag CryptologistSignals Intelligence

Direct Support Element

Flag Intelligence (N2)24Hr Intel Watch

Analysis and Briefing

Ship & CAG Intelligence OfficersAirwing CCTV Briefs/Debriefs

Strike/Mission PlanningImagery Intelligence

Bomb Damage Assessment

TFCC

Tactical Action Officer (TAO)Air/Surface/Subsurface Contacts

Tactical Air ControlEmissions Control (EMCON)

Anti-Ship Missile Defense

Ship’s Signal Exploitation Space (SSES)Intelligence Center (CVIC)Combat Information Center (CIC)

TFCC & SUPPLOT

SSESCICCVICTFCC

& SUPPLOT

War Room and Supplot

TFCC TFCC

*Manning can vary with each staff at AB’s discretion

1 “T” TABLE2 COMMAND/EVALUATOR DISPLAY 3 JOTS TERMINAL 4 TELEVISION MONITOR5 NTDS TERMINAL 6 CHART TABLE (DRT) 7 COMMUNICATIONS & MESSAGE CTR 8 SAFE 9 MANUAL STATUS BOARD 10 PLAT MONITOR 11 COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT

TFCC Equipment and Watch Stations

TFCC Watch Manning*:1- Battle Watch Captain (BWC)1- Assistant BWC2- Operations Specialists (NTDS)1- JOTS Operator1- Quartermaster (DRT)2- Radiomen (Communications)

Joint Operational Tactical System (JOTS)

• Collection and display of data from multiple disparate systems in a single, integrated environment

• Four Main Capabilities: – Tactical Database Manager, Geographic Database (Chart),

Communications and Wizard X (decision aid)– Global Database intended to support Force Over-the-

Horizon Track Coordinator (FOTC)– Inputs were:

• Link 14• OPINTEL Broadcast• OTCIXS Rainform Gold• High Interest Target System (HITS) Broadcast• TACINTEL• Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TWCS) via OTCIXS and

TADIXS Broadcasts

Evolution of Maritime C2 Systems

JOTS1987 – Mid 90s

JMCISMid 90s – Early 2000s

GCCS-MCURRENT

Global C2 System-Maritime (GCCS-M)

• Enhances the operational commander's warfighting capability and aids in the decision-making process by:– Receiving, retrieving, and displaying information (including

intelligence data) relative to the current tactical situation, and the readiness of neutral, friendly, and hostile forces

– Supporting near-real-time responses using multi-level secure external communication (NIPRNET, SIPRNET, JWICS), local area networks (LANs) and direct interfaces with other C5I systems

– Providing centrally-managed C5I services to the Fleet which enables U.S. and Allied Forces network-centric warfare operations

• GCCS-M supports the full range of Navy missions– Strategic Deterrence, Sea Control, Power Projection

CIC

NMCC CINC

TFCC

Today’sCWC C5IStructure

Questions?

Back-Ups

Warfare Commanders Today• Composite Warfare Commander (CWC) “Bravo”

– Usually the Embarked Admiral • Air Warfare Commander (AWC) “Whiskey”

– Inner air battle; usually senior cruiser C.O.• Surface Warfare Commander (SUWC) “Zulu”

– War-at-sea strikes and Surface Search Contact (SSC) missions; usually the DESRON CDR

• Undersea Warfare Commander (USWC) “Zulu”– Antisubmarine Warfare; usually the DESRON CDR

• Strike Warfare Commander (STRIKE) “Papa”– Strike operations planning and execution for air wing and tomahawk

assets; usually the Air Group Commander (CAG)• Information Warfare Commander (IWC) “Quebec”

– Counter use of electromagnetic spectrum and EMCON– Assignment Varies from CV CO to senior IDC

CWC Coordinators Today• Air Resources Element Coordinator (AREC) “Romeo”

– Provides organic carrier air resources as tasked by WCs and the CWC– Promulgates current information on the availability of aircraft– Disseminates information or results (e.g., BDA) achieved by organic carrier air

resources– CV Strike Operations Officer normally performs this function

• Helicopter Element Coordinator (HEC)– Promulgates air and air plans for non-logistics helicopters

• Submarine Element Coordinator (SEC)– Acts as principle advisor to AX for submarine matters when an SSN is assigned in

integrated in direct support (SSN DS) of the battlegroup. – Acts as executive agent to advise in planning and direction of SSN DS

• Screen Coordinator (SC) – Provides tactical direction to the ships of the battlegroup which constitute the inner

USW screen

• Intelligence Indications and Warning (SUPPLOT) “India”– Coordinates intelligence resources for the Striking Group and provides critical I&W to

TFCC– Typically assigned to Flag Intelligence Watch Officer (FIWO)

Warfare Commanders in 1991• Composite Warfare Commander (CWC)

– Usually the Embarked Admiral• Air Warfare Commander (AWC)

– Inner air battle; usually senior cruiser C.O.• Surface Warfare Commander (SUWC)

– War-at-sea strikes and Surface Search Contact (SSC) missions; usually the Carrier C.O.

• Undersea Warfare Commander (USWC)– Antisubmarine Warfare; usually the DESRON CDR

• Strike Warfare Commander (STRIKE)– Strike operations planning and execution for air wing and

tomahawk assets; usually the Air Group Commander (CAG)• Command and Control Warfare Commander (C2WC)

– Counter use of electromagnetic spectrum and EMCON– WC Assigned Varies

CWC Coordinators in 1991• Air Resources Element Coordinator (AR)

– Provides organic carrier air resources as tasked by WCs and the CWC– Promulgates current information on the availability of aircraft– Disseminates information or results (e.g., BDA) achieved by organic carrier air

resources– CV Strike Operations Officer normally performs this function

• Helicopter Element Coordinator (HEC)– Promulgates air and air plans for non-logistics helicopters

• Submarine Element Coordinator (SEC)– Acts as principle advisor to AX for submarine matters when an SSN is

assigned in integrated in direct support (SSN DS) of the battlegroup. – Acts as executive agent to advise in planning and direction of SSN DS

• Screen Coordinator (SC) – Provides tactical direction to the ships of the battlegroup which constitute the

inner USW screen

• Force Over the Horizon Track Coordinator (FOTC )– Designates contacts of critical concern to the battlegroup.

Key Navy C2 System Abbreviations• C2: Command and Control• C5I: Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence,

Surveillance and Reconnaissance• GCCS-M: Global Command and Control System – Maritime• HITS: High Interest Target System• ISR: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance• JMCIS: Joint Maritime Command Information System• JOTS: Joint Operational Tactical System• JWICS: Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communication System• NIPRNET: Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router Network • NTCS-A: Navy Tactical Command System Afloat• NTDS: Navy Tactical Data System• OPINTEL: Operational Intelligence• OTCIXS: Over-The-Horizon Tactical Communications Information Exchange System• SIPRNET: Secure Internet Protocol Router Network• TACINTEL: Tactical Intelligence• TADIXS: Tactical Data Information Exchange System• TWCS: Tomahawk Weapons Control System