Information Dominance Warfare Officer (Idwo) Pqs 110 Series Meteorology/oceanography Fundamentals

Front 1

State the location, mission, and component commands for COMNAVMETOCCOM.

Back 1

Mission: The United States Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC) provides critical information from the ocean depths to the most distant reaches of space, meeting needs in the military, scientific, and civilian communities.

Echelon III command reporting to United States Fleet Forces Command Responsible for command and management of the Naval Oceanography Program and Undersea Surveillance to leverage the environment to enable successful strategic, tactical, and operational
battle space utilization across the continuum of campaigning and at all levels of war.

Location: Stennis Space Center, Mississippi

Front 2

State the location, mission, and component commands for FLENUMMETOCCEN.

Back 2

The Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) provides the highest quality,
most relevant and timely worldwide meteorology and oceanography support to U.S. and coalition forces from its Operations Center in Monterey, California.
DoD primary central production site for worldwide computer-generated operational meteorological and oceanographic analysis and forecast products
Responsible for the preparation of the marine and joint battlespace to enable successful combat operations from the sea. Exploit METOC opportunities and mitigate environmental challenges for Naval operations, plans, and strategy at all levels of warfare. Provide METOC products, data, and services to the operation and support forces of DoD to create an asymmetric warfighting advantage for Naval, Joint, and Coalition forces to maximize America’s Sea Power as directed by COMNAVMETOCCOM.

Monterey, CA

Front 3

State the location, mission, and component commands for NAVOCEANOPSCOM.

Back 3

The Naval Oceanography Operations Command (NOOC) advises Navy operations on the impact of
ocean and atmospheric conditions in every theater and for every operation. NOOC products include those from the Naval Maritime Forecast Center - Norfolk and the Naval Oceanography ASW Center - Yokosuka.
Operational arm of METOC, overseeing nine subordinate commands. The NOOC vision is to be identified by the Naval warfighter as the sole source for global oceanographic, riverine, and atmospheric knowledge 24/7 reachback to production centers, provides an asymmetric warfighting advantage by
exploiting the current and future state of the environment. Responsible for execution of assigned METOC, GI&S, PTA, Mapping, Charting and Geodesy
functions and efforts under the Operational Oceanography Program to optimize warfighting
resources and readiness, support safe operations, and enhance dominance of the battlespace through superior understanding and exploitation or mitigation of the physical environment.

Stennis Space Center, Mississippi

Front 4

State the location, mission, and component commands for NAVOCEANO.

Back 4

The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO) maximizes seapower by applying relevant oceanographic knowledge in support of U.S. National Security.
Apply relevant oceanographic knowledge across a full spectrum of warfare through smart collection,
focused analysis, and responsive delivery by generating strategic, operational, and tactical worldwide
oceanographic and geospatial navigation and weapon/sensor performance requirements. Conduct multi-disciplinary ocean surveys. Collect and analyze all-source oceanographic data. Provide global numerical oceanographic observations and products. Implement numerical techniques to solve oceanographic analytical and forecasting problems to maximize America’s Sea Power.

Stennis Space Center, Mississippi

Front 5

State the location, mission, and component commands for USNAVOBSY.

Back 5

The U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) provides a wide range of astronomical data and products, and serves as the official source of time for the U.S. Department of Defense and a standard of time for the entire United States. Determine the positions and motions of celestial bodies, the motions of the earth, and precise time
Provide the astronomical and timing data required by the Navy and other components of the DoD for
navigation, precise positioning, command, control, and communications Make this data available to other government agencies and to the general public

Washington D.C.

Front 6

Discuss the primary services provided by deployable Naval Oceanography teams.

Back 6

- Hazardout Weather/Evasion and Special Weather Phenomena Reports
- Strike Group Forecast
- Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts
- METOC Post-Deployment Report
- Observations
- Special Observations Near Tropical Cyclones
- Hydrography

Front 7

Define collection in relation to Naval Oceanography Information.

Back 7

Collecting information about atmospheric/ocean conditions

Front 8

Define analysis in relation to Naval Oceanography Information.

Back 8

Using raw data to determine predictive outcomes

Front 9

Define prediction in relation to Naval Oceanography Information.

Back 9

Creating informed decisions about what potential weather will be

Front 10

Define exploitation in relation to Naval Oceanography Information.

Back 10

Recommendations on how best to use weather to military advantage

Front 11

What is BonD and discuss the purpose of BonD to include how it enables decision-making capabilities for the warfighter.

Back 11

Battlespace On Demand (BonD) is Naval Oceanography’s operational concept.

Data -> Environment -> Performance -> Decision

It guides and informs operational and technical domains, and drives investment strategy. It enables the effort to keep the Fleet safe, and enhance warfighting effectiveness by achieving decision superiority.

Front 12

Discuss the various Naval Oceanography models/products available on the NEP-O.

Back 12

- Maritime Safety Models (High winds and Seas reports, tropical cyclone warnings, etc)
- Forecasts, OTSR warnings & advisories
- Ocean prediction, bathymetry and temperature
- Climatology
- Model outputs: Wave Watch 3, COAMPS, NOGAPS, GFS
- Ensemble forecasting
- Observations
- Radar & satellite

Front 13

Discuss the importance of satellite imagery to Naval
Oceanography applications.

Back 13

- Accurate and timely characterization of the littoral and riverine battlespace that allows for further manipulation of the data and products by the customer
- EO imagery can effectively aid in tracking weather patterns by showing physical changes in cloud cover, terrain etc
- Radar imagery can help to accommodate Doppler readings and analysis
- IR can aid in facilitating oceanographic readings on temperature, salinity (in combination with other readings), etc

Front 14

How does visibility affect military operations?

Back 14

- Targeting difficulty
- Air operations adversely affected
- Safe navigation
- Defense, reconnaissance

Front 15

How does precipitation affect military operations?

Back 15

- Affects visibility and the functioning of many infrared and electro-optical sensors, radar, and communications systems
- Hazardous for transportation
- May result in mud slides, flooding, etc
- Damages supplies

Front 16

How does wind affect military operations?

Back 16

- Combat effectiveness of troops by blowing dust, smoke, sand, or precipitation
- CBRN negative effect on downwind forces
- Aircraft and missile flight
- May result in Sortie of ships

Front 17

How does cloud cover affect military operations?

Back 17

- Visibility to strike operations
- Imagery collection

Front 18

How does temperature and humidity affect military operations?

Back 18

- Effects on ability for human operators to operate
- Reduction in effective use of equipment

Front 19

Discuss the effects of the ocean surface may impact the
operational environment.

Back 19

- Winds and temperatures on the ocean can effect conditions subsurface
- High wind and seas limit ship tracks and operations
- Naval platforms and weapons systems

Front 20

Discuss the effects of the ocean subsurface may impact the operational environment.

Back 20

- Affects on submarine, antisubmarine, and mining operations
- Sonar capabilities are affected by salinity, gradient, composition

Front 21

Discuss the effects of how littoral characteristics may impact the operational environment.

Back 21

- Can greatly affect amphibious operations and limit landing areas
- Terrain masking for Naval gunfire due to relatively flat trajectory

Front 22

Most direct return route from contact, easily discernible

Back 22

Direct path

Front 23

Can create greater ranges on sound propagation

Back 23

Bottom bounce

Front 24

Area where a lot of sound accumulates near ocean surface. Can cause distortion in returns due to over abundance of noise

Back 24

Convergence zone

Front 25

Sound waves can become trapped and decrease ability for enemy detection due to variations in temperature, creating increases/ decreases which hold sound in path

Back 25

Sound channel

Front 26

Long ranges for sound propagation due to refraction at bottom and reflection at surface caused by isothermal conditions creating increase in speed to the bottom

Back 26

Half-channel

Front 27

Advantage can be the ability to hide below the ducting for masking

Back 27

Surface duct

Front 28

Discuss Space Weather environmental considerations
with reference to Information Warfare.

Back 28

Solar flares, charged particles, cosmic rays, the Van Allen radiation belts, and other natural phenomena in space create changes that can affect communications, navigation accuracy, the performance of sensors, and cause electronic failures.

Front 29

Discuss the effects that standard refraction can have on the electromagnetic propagation of a radar beam.

Back 29

In free space, an EM wave will travel in a straight line because the index of refraction is the same
throughout the column

Front 30

Discuss the effects that super-refraction can have on the electromagnetic propagation of a radar beam.

Back 30

-Vertical distribution of temperature, moisture, and pressure causes the radar waves to bend more
toward the surface of the earth than under normal conditions
- Super-refractive conditions extend radar coverage up to 50% over normal

Front 31

Discuss the effects that sub-refraction can have on the electromagnetic propagation of a radar beam.

Back 31

Cause the radar waves to be refracted upward and away from the surface of the earth

Front 32

Discuss the effects that trapping can have on the electromagnetic propagation of a radar beam.

Back 32

Produces the greatest extremes in radar performance and can significantly extend radar ranges

Front 33

Describe the impact of environmental conditions on anti-submarine warfare.

Back 33

- Different propagation effects on detection and ability to remain undetected
- High sea states can negatively effect operations

Front 34

Describe the impact of environmental conditions on Naval Special Warfare.

Back 34

- Water temperature/currents can greatly affect swimmer operations
- Precipitation can create no-go criteria for overland operations
- Cloud cover and precipitation can hinder infiltration and extraction via air

Front 35

Describe the impact of environmental conditions on mine warfare.

Back 35

- Currents can affect mine placement
- Bathymetry can affect mine placement and stability

Front 36

Describe the impact of environmental conditions on air defense.

Back 36

- Cloud cover and high winds can greatly affect air and missile flights
- Wind effects on flight operations

Front 37

Describe the impact of environmental conditions on information warfare.

Back 37

- Heavy weather negatively affects communications, reconnaissance, etc
- Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief

Front 38

Describe the impact of environmental conditions on Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief.

Back 38

- Bad weather results in further loss of lives, increases difficulty of rescue efforts, intensifies effects of disaster

Example: Heavy rains after earthquakes can cause severe mud slides and flooding in already devastated
areas.

Front 39

Describe the impact of environmental conditions on chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare.

Back 39

Winds and currents transport

Front 40

Describe the impact of environmental conditions on strike warfare.

Back 40

Cloud cover and high winds can greatly affect air and missile flights and targeting

Front 41

Describe the purpose of AREPS.

Back 41

Advanced Refractive Environmental Prediction System
- Computes atmospheric and terrain effects on radars
- Can connect with FalconView

Front 42

Describe the purpose of GFMPL.

Back 42

Geophysics Fleet Mission Program Library
- Provides environmental, meteorological, electromagnetic, oceanographic, hazard avoidance, acoustic and weapon system support
- Software library using historical environmental data run through specific algorithms

Front 43

Describe the purpose of HPAC.

Back 43

Hazard Prediction and Assessment Capability
- Accurately predicts the effects of hazardous material releases into the atmosphere and its human
collateral effects on civilian and military populations

Front 44

Describe the purpose of TAWS.

Back 44

Target Acquisition Weapons Software
- TAWS is for IR and electro-optical (EO) systems equivalent to AREPS

Front 45

Describe the purpose of PCIMAT.

Back 45

Personal Computer Interactive Multisensor Analysis Training
- It is a training system for oceanography and acoustics as well as a tactical decision aid for submarine,
surface and air anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
- Acoustic modeling for estimating sonar performance

Front 46

Describe the purpose of MEDAL.

Back 46

Mine Warfare Environmental Decision Aid Library
- Provides access to the MIW environmental database that supports mining and MCM ops

Front 47

Describe the purpose of WEBSAR.

Back 47

Web Based Search and Rescue
- Tool used for predictions involving SAR missions

Front 48

Discuss the information available from OBS.

Back 48

- Global observations of meteorological and oceanographic conditions are required, particularly over ocean areas where environmental data are extremely sparse.
- Provide the baseline data required to develop meteorological and oceanographic forecasts and
climatology products that promote safe fleet operations, or data needed as input to tactical decision
aids (TDA) to effectively employ weapons systems.
- Tool to verify location of ships and forecasts (“look out the window”)

Front 49

Discuss the information available from TAF.

Back 49

- Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
- Pilots, ATC use this forecast to make operational decisions
- Expected weather conditions for airfield zone over 24 hr period

Front 50

Discuss the information available from XBT.

Back 50

- Expendable Bathythermograph
- Advanced ASW modeling
- In general, surface ships are required to take and transmit shipboard expendable bathythermograph
(SXBT) observations at least every six hours while underway in open ocean areas where depths
exceed 100 fathoms

Front 51

Discuss the information available from WEAX/SUBWEAX.

Back 51

- Provides tailored weather forecasts for ships requesting the service
- Provided along a ship’s track as stated in the unit’s MOVREP
- AVWX is designed for ships with embarked aircraft. AVWX provides forecast services as described for
WEAX with the addition of aviation parameters.
- WEAX and AVWX are designed for ships operating independently without embarked METOC personnel

Front 52

Discuss the information available from OTSR Divert Request/OTSR Advisory.

Back 52

Optimum Track Ship Routing

- Advisory service whose primary mission is safety.
- Primary tool for ships to minimize the risk of damage from extra-tropical and tropical storms, high seas
and sea ice, while minimizing time and fuel
- Assists port authorities and/or ships in port to avoid damage from tropical cyclones by issuing sortie
recommendations to the Senior Officer Present Afloat (SOPA) including time to depart, sortie direction, and location to sortie the ships toward.

Divert = recommendation to change course/speed to avoid heavy weather/seas because conditions will exceed ship limits
Advisory = conditions approach ship limits

Front 53

Discuss the information available from Naval Oceanography Warning/Sea Advisories and Warning.

Back 53

Advisories and warnings of potentially destructive weather (high winds, thunderstorms, tornadoes,
etc.) are routinely issued. Conditions of readiness are set by the local area commander or designated
representative. FWC does not set these conditions.
These advisories and warnings are based on forecast wind velocities and significant wave heights.
-Wind velocity: sustained wind speeds (ten-minute average) expected over the period and area of the forecast.
-Significant wave height: the average of the highest one-third of all waves observed in the local sea. Short-period waves (seas) are normally generated by the local wind, while longer period waves (swell) are generated by a distant wind source.

Front 54

Discuss the information available from JOAF.

Back 54

Joint Operations Area Forecast

- Official baseline forecast for operational planning and mission execution within the joint operations area. The JMCC is the cornerstone of METOC operations support.
- Under the JMO’s guidance, the JMCC combines multiple source METOC information with operational information to generate the joint operations area forecast (JOAF).

Front 55

Discuss the information available from OPTASK METOC.

Back 55

Standardization ensures all METOC briefs, regardless of respective fleets, will outline all necessary elements of benefit to OTCs

Front 56

Discuss the information available from TAS

Back 56

Tactical Atmospheric Summary

Atmospheric refractive summary, a tactical assessment, electromagnetic (EM) sensor performance predictions, infrared sensor detection range predictions, & communication range predictions

Front 57

Discuss the information available from TOS.

Back 57

Tactical Oceanographic Summary

Generated by PCIMAT, includes best frequencies, sensors, depths, etc according to threat/target

Front 58

Discuss the information available from AOA.

Back 58

Amphibious Operating Area

- METSIT, 24 hour forecast, surf forecast, tactical assessment, abbreviated atmospheric summary, and
astronomical data
- Issued at least 24 hours before amphibious operations

Front 59

Discuss the information available from special support products.

Back 59

Ice, currents, special forecast requirements, etc

Front 60

Describe the weather conditions associated with each of
the following warnings and how they might impact operations:

a. small craft
b. gale
c. storm
d. local wind advisory
e. high/heavy seas
f. sever thunderstorm/tornado
g. thunderstorm
h. tropical cyclone
i. extreme temperature
j. heavy snow
k. flash flood
l. hazardous surf
m. tsunami
n. earthquake

Back 60

a. Small craft
Sustained wind 18-33 kts
b. Gale
Sustained wind 34-47 kts
c. Storm
Sustained wind > 48 kts
d. Local wind advisory
Advisory for high winds, criteria determined by local stations
e. High/Heavy seas
12/18/24 ft warnings, limits set by individual ships or stations
f. Severe thunderstorm/tornado
Wind speed >50kts or > ¾” diameter hail
Detected within 100nm of local area and expected to pass within 25 nm
g. Thunderstorm
WARNING: detected w/in 100nm of local area and expected to pass w/in 25 nm of local area
WATCH: forecasted within 8 hours and expected to pass within 25nm
h. Tropical Cyclone
Text, graphic, and message released in coordination with NHC
i. Extreme temperature
Special weather advisory for extreme heat or cold temperatures forecasted
j. Heavy snow
> 1” in < 6 hrs; Accumulation will curtail normal military operations, create safety hazards, cause snow removal procedures to be initiated (accumulation of ≥ 1 inch in ≤6 hours)
k. Flash flood
Rapid flooding often due to slow moving thunderstorms
l. Hazardous surf
Storm Surge: Surge > 3” above normal tide
m. Tsunami
Timely evacuation before arrival if possible due to tsunami warning systems
n. Earthquake
Difficult to predict, personnel accountability most important

Front 61

Describe the various missions of the T-AGS Oceanographic Survey Ships.

Back 61

Military Sealift Command's Special Mission program supports worldwide oceanographic programs with
seven ships that perform acoustical, biological, physical and geophysical surveys. These ships gather data that provides much of the military's information on the ocean environment.

Front 62

Discuss the purpose of the USNO Master Clock UTC.

Back 62

Timing services, with various degrees of precision, are required by numerous systems and in support of many critical missions. Radio electronic navigation, secure communications, electronic surveillance, improved identification, collision avoidance, formation flight, air traffic control, missile operations, satellite geodesy, and suntracking systems are examples of systems and missions that use precise clock time and frequency synchronization.

Front 63

Discuss the role of precise time in GPS.

Back 63

Global Positioning System. GPS is now and will continue to be the primary radio-navigation system source of PNT information for the Department of Defense. All DOD combatant users must acquire, train with, and use GPS systems capable of receiving the encrypted, military GPS signal, the Precise Positioning Service (PPS)

Front 64

Discuss the role of precise time in geolocation.

Back 64

Geolocation is closely related to positioning but can be distinguished from it by a greater emphasis on
determining a meaningful location (e.g. a street address) rather than just a set of geographic coordinates.

Front 65

Discuss the role of precise time in network sychronization.

Back 65

Network synchronisation is an important task to get excellent performance and and quality of service
for the subscribers.

In modern computer networks time synchronization is critical because every aspect of managing, securing, planning, and debugging a network involves determining when events happen. Time also provides the only frame of reference between all devices on the network. Without synchronized time, accurately correlating log files between these devices is difficult, even impossible.