With the start of a new year, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) became the first aircraft carrier to be outfitted with Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet) during refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).

A small team assigned to George Washington has the responsibility of building and installing a mobile SIPRNet on the ship.

“This is not the first time SIPRNet was installed on the ship, but this will be the first time SIPRNet accessibility is available to a carrier during RCOH,” said Lt. Paul Guidry, the ship’s communications officer and leader of the three-person team assigned to the SIPRNet building and installation. “Due to RCOH, our Secret Integrated Shipboard Network System (ISNS) systems were removed, which will be replaced with Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES),” said Guidry. “Our unclassified network, Non-Classified Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNet), is reserved for less sensitive unclassified information. Having our own SIPRNet locally will allow the ship to access classified websites and other operational information versus having to rely on accessibility at Commander, Naval Air Forces, Atlantic Fleet (CNAL).”

The SIPRNet setup is a Deployable Site Transport Boundary/Fly Away Kit (DTSB/FAK), also called “NMCI in a Box.” It is portable equipment, which provides encryption, network capability and direct connectivity to securely connect to the Navy/Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) SIPRNet over a commercial internet service provider.

“The ability to access classified messages will benefit the ship by keeping the [commanding officer, executive officer, and command master chief] readily abreast of critical information impactful to the command or the Navy,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Bryan Johnson, one of the Sailors assigned to the project.

SIPRNet is the Department of Defense’s primary command and control network. It is used to access and transmit classified information in a secure environment. The access to SIPRNet allows the ship to obtain operational and intelligence information, and classified training material, process classified messages, and communicate sensitive information securely.

“This SIPRNet setup will, more than likely, pass on to the next carriers that enter RCOH in the future,” said Guidry. “This will allow carriers in RCOH to maintain access to SIPRNet locally when shipboard networks are removed.”

In the future, the information systems technicians aboard George Washington will be responsible for ensuring the DTSB/FAK maintains connectivity, installing updates on the SIPRNet laptops, assisting prospective users to gain access, and processing classified message traffic.

“On top of continuously monitoring and maintaining the mobile network, we will be integral to SIPRNet’s expandability and security posture,” said Information Systems Technician Seaman Jeremy Mullendore, one of the Sailors assigned to the project. “We feel our contribution was impactful to ensuring that the command and future carriers will have seamless access to sensitive information crucial to the mission and personnel readiness.”

The team assigned to the task were enabled the valuable opportunity to work in their rate’s realm of knowledge and contribute a tool that can be utilized in the future by other aircraft carriers during their RCOH periods.

“It was an honor to lead a team of Sailors that were motivated to take on this unique project and to bring SIPRNet capability to a carrier for the first time ever,” said Guidry.

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