SWATT

Surface Warfare Training Growing More Complex with Tougher Scenarios

Chief Intelligence Specialist William Buller video records pre-aim calibration (PAC) fire maintenance on MK-45 MOD 4 5-inch 62 caliber lightweight gun aboard USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) on July 7, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Navy’s plans to create tougher advanced-phase training events for surface ships are made possible by improvements in individual-level training for surface warfare officers and sailors, according to the officers that oversee the spectrum of surface training.

Rear Adm. Scott...

Navy Continues Advanced Surface Training, Deemed Mission-Essential, During COVID Restrictions

Lt. Caleb Bekemeier (standing), an Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) assigned to Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), discusses surface warfighting tactics with Chief Electronics Technician Christopher Schmidt, assigned to USS Stethem, during a training opportunity conducted at Combined IAMD and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Trainer (CIAT) San Diego. Bekemeier returned to SMWDC last week after mentoring the crew of USS Freedom...

https://news.usni.org/2020/05/01/navy-continues-advanced-surface-training-deemed-mission-essential-during-covid-restrictions

Navy Rethinking Fundamental Training for SWO Skills, Crafting More Complex Pre-Deployment Exercises

Chief Master-at-Arms Michael Thom, assigned to the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), works with Sailors on the bridge to locate surface contacts during a basic surface warfare exercise while participating in a surface warfare advanced tactical training (SWATT) in the Atlantic Ocean onJuly 28, 2019. SWATT is designed to increase war fighting proficiency, lethality and interoperability of participating units. US Navy photo.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Navy’s surface...

https://news.usni.org/2020/01/27/navy-rethinking-fundamental-training-for-swo-skills-crafting-more-complex-pre-deployment-exercises

Naval Surface Forces Looking Closely at Warfare Training for Individuals, Watch Teams

Ens. Micah Burge, from Branson, Mo., views a monitor in the bridge of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) in 2019. US Navy Photo

The surface navy is taking a serious look at how it trains individuals and watch teams in maritime warfighting skills, taking a similar approach to the recent effort to bolster navigation, shiphandling and seamanship skills, the head of the surface force told USNI News.

Following a string of collisions in the Western Pacific in 2017, the...

https://news.usni.org/2020/01/13/naval-surface-forces-looking-closely-at-warfare-training-for-individuals-watch-teams

Navy Wants to Make Surface Fleet Training Harder with More Live, Virtual Opposing Forces and Ranges

USS Farragut (DDG-99) launches a Standard Missile (SM-2) during a missile exercise (MISSILEX) on April 13, 2018. US Navy Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – As the Navy continues to inject more live, virtual and constructive events to prepare ships’ crews to defeat potential threats, surface warfare training officials are looking to add more realistic adversaries and tougher scenarios via virtual training.

“With the threats we face, we don’t have the ranges with the appropriate depth-of-fire presentation....

https://news.usni.org/2019/09/05/navy-wants-to-make-surface-fleet-training-harder-with-more-live-virtual-opposing-forces-and-ranges

The State of LCS: Navy Pushing More Ships to Sea This Fall as Class Matures

Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Kerri Corcoran, assigned to the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS-8), prepares to throw out a line while a tug boat comes alongside Montgomery to escort it into Davao City, Philippines on June 29, 2019. US Navy Photo

This is the first of a two-part series on the current state of the Littoral Combat Ship program.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Five years from now, there may be as many Littoral Combat Ships deployed as there are destroyers. 

The ships are...

https://news.usni.org/2019/09/05/the-state-of-lcs-navy-pushing-more-ships-to-sea-this-fall-as-class-matures

Littoral Combat Ship Deploys for First Time in 19 Months; USS Montgomery Left Unannounced in Early June

The littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS-8) departs Naval Base San Diego to conduct routine operations and training in the Pacific Ocean. US Navy photo.

There is a Littoral Combat Ship operating forward on deployment for the first time in 19 months, with USS Montgomery (LCS-8) arriving in the Philippines over the weekend on its maiden deployment.

The Navy did not announce the departure of Montgomery from its San Diego, Calif. homeport, but the service on Saturday released a news story and...

https://news.usni.org/2019/07/01/littoral-combat-ship-deploys-for-first-time-in-19-months-uss-montgomery-left-unannounced-in-early-june

Navy Conducts First LCS Advanced Training with Pair of Ships; Larger Event Planned this Summer

Lt. Ryan Griffith acts as the tactical action officer as Cmdr. Edward Rosso, commanding officer of the Independence variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8), observes operations during a surface warfare scenario aboard the ship. Montgomery is underway in the eastern Pacific conducting the first-ever LCS surface warfare advanced tactical training (SWATT) event hosted by the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC). US Navy photo.

The Navy conducted its first...

https://news.usni.org/2019/05/06/navy-conducts-first-lcs-advanced-training-with-pair-of-ships-larger-event-planned-this-summer

7th Fleet Ships Conduct First High-End Advanced Training Event with SMWDC

The amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) launches a Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) during a missile exercise (MSLEX) in the Pacific Ocean, March 16, 2019. MSLEXs are designed to increase the tactical proficiency, lethality, and interoperability of participating warships in an era of great power competition. US Navy photo.

Naval forces forward-deployed in the Pacific took a big step in raising their warfighting proficiency, completing their first advanced training event hosted by the...

https://news.usni.org/2019/04/01/7th-fleet-ships-conduct-first-high-end-advanced-training-event-smwdc

Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center Further Solidifying its Role in Training, Operations

The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) fires its forward MK-45 5-inch gun during a pre-action calibration fire evolution. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) cruiser-destroyer (CRUDES) units are completing the first East Coast CRUDES Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise. US Navy photo.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Last year, the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center accomplished a host of firsts in its advanced training activities for...

https://news.usni.org/2019/03/07/surface-and-mine-warfighting-development-center-further-solidifying-its-role-in-training-operations

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