So we really own training at the individual level through our weapons schools on up through integrated training to fight as an air wing. That is the majority of our effort and focus at NSAWC.

 

How would you define NSAWC’s contribution to and relationship with combatant commands?

We have a number of ways we reach out to the COCOMs. We make regular visits to ensure we are fully aware of the particular CONOPs [concept of operations] in their theaters, their requirements for naval aviation, and the threat systems in their AORs [areas of responsibility]. All those roll back here to modify our training.

We do it two ways. At the individual level, we train how to employ a specific airplane so the pilot knows that system inside and out to deploy against different threats. The other thing is when an air wing comes through, we will identify a certain number of senior officers to go through an airborne mission commander syllabus. Those officers, who would plan and lead an actual strike, have been around long enough to understand other weapons in the wing, and we show them how to use them all.

For example, right now we train for two primary things: OEF-Afghanistan [Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan] for CAS [close air support] and, second, how to coordinate integrated strikes in a major combat operation. Each is molded and focused based on our relationship with the numbered fleet commanders who work for the COCOMs, so we understand what is expected of the battle group when they arrive and train our air wings specifically to handle those contingencies.

We also have a designated “fly-away team.” So if something happens in one of the theaters, I will go to the AOC [air operations center] with tactical experts from our weapons schools to help the Air Force understand how to best integrate and utilize our carrier air wings. We also will send some reps to the maritime ops center and provide help to the numbered fleet commander and his staff.

That leads into our fourth element: setting requirements. Because we are in the AOR with them, we understand what the capabilities difference is between what we currently are and what we will need. Each year we hold a conference here at Fallon with representatives from all the numbered fleet commanders to identify and prioritize capability gaps, which then goes to my boss – the commander of Fleet Forces Command – who uses that as one of the inputs he sends to OPNAV [Office of the Chief of Naval Operations] in support of the POM [Program Objective Memorandum for planning, programming, budgeting] process.

 

What is the real and potential value of center graduates to the Navy – including how NSAWC reflects and addresses the Navy’s vision of the current and future threat?

We do it two ways. At the individual level, we train how to employ a specific airplane so the pilot knows that system inside and out to deploy against different threats. The other thing is when an air wing comes through, we will identify a certain number of senior officers to go through an airborne mission commander syllabus. Those officers, who would plan and lead an actual strike, have been around long enough to understand other weapons in the wing, and we show them how to use them all.

Our weapons tactics instructors also can help our coalition partners understand the individual capabilities of available aircraft and what can be done with those.

 

How does NSAWC compare to the USAF Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada?

I would say their curriculum is slightly different, but the training continuum of growing weapons tactics instructors and using them back in the fleet to train folks are mirror images because that model has proved so effective.

 

Where does TOPGUN, as most people know it from the movie, fit into what NSAWC does today?

TOPGUN was our very first weapons school and is the model for all the others. But if you look at the NSAWC organization chart, the manning is almost identical, with the commander of each a post-op O-5 who has had a squadron command. The size of each organization varies depending on requirements.

The only one that might be a little different is the rotary-wing school, which also has aircrewmen who are almost weapons tactics instructors for helicopter aircrews.

 

Have you moved beyond advanced fighter training to produce what might be termed Navy-wide aviation warfare subject-matter experts?

They come out of their first fleet squadron knowing how to use their airplanes. When they leave here, they also understand how all the other parts of the air wing fit together, so their value back in the fleet is so much more than just having more experience with their platform.

An air wing is a specific warfighting entity made up of all the different parts and squadrons that together give us a complete capability to do strike warfare. But an individual, to employ it properly, has to understand more than just what his piece is; he needs to understand all the parts of that air wing. And that’s what they are exposed to here. As air wings come through here, we put them through their paces a month before they deploy on how to put all those pieces together to make it a cohesive and very effective fighting unit.

What are the requirements to come to NSAWC, such as rank and experience level?

The majority are lieutenants on their first shore tour whom COs [commanding officers] have identified as tactically astute junior officers qualified to become instructors. They are nominated to us and then my staff selects those who come here. It’s not that big a community, so we pretty well know who folks are.

Anyone on the actual weapons school staffs already are patch-wearers who have graduated from the weapons school.

Actually, my biggest department is my air wing, who teach air wing integration. That is a step above the tactical lieutenant in teaching how to integrate across the air wing, so I have some lieutenant commanders and commanders there. And those also are hand-selected.

Not only do the kids who come here have to be tactically astute, they have to be good teachers. If you don’t know how to teach, you are ineffective as a trainer. So we not only teach integration of specific airplanes, we give them a lot of classes on teaching techniques.