“A deep understanding of the environment is critical for effectiveness at sea, said Capt. Christi Montgomery, commanding officer of FNMOC. “Assured and timely access to the environmental data and information produced by Naval Oceanography not only provides that  understanding, but also allows warfighting decision makers the ability to adapt faster than an adversary, and increases own-force maneuverability and lethality.”

Discussions focused on reviewing the current posture of submarine tactical use of the ocean environment to identify gaps and areas of improvement for Naval Oceanography support from production centers and operational commands. Virtual and on-site participants included members of Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC), the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO), the Naval Oceanography Operations Command (NOOC), the U. S. Pacific and Atlantic Fleet, Submarine Force, Submarine Group TWO, Fleet Theater Undersea Warfare Commands, and the Undersea Warfighting Development Center.

“As we move forward, it is paramount that the METOC community and Submarine community continue to collaborate and find unique solutions for data delivery,” said Cmdr. Newman, Oceanographer of COMSUBPAC. “Meteorological and oceanographic information are crucial to maintaining dominance within the undersea domain.”

FNMOC, a subordinate command of Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, operates one of the largest single supercomputing facilities in the DoD, dedicated to environmental prediction. Consisting of a ready Force of well-qualified, STEM-educated and scientifically trained Sailors, civilians and contractors serving in a wide-range of technical, scientific and service support billets in Monterey, California and Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.