114 METOC Flashcards
114.1 Explain how Naval Meteorology and Oceanography supports the Information Dominance mission?
Develops and delivers dominant meteorological/oceanographic capabilities in support of U.S. Navy, Joint and national
warfighting requirements.
114.2 Discuss the general mission of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command.
NMOC provides the preponderance of oceanographic and hydrographic survey capabilities for the Department of the Navy
(DoN) and the Department of Defense (DoD).
114.3 Describe the NMOC organizational structure.
114.4 Define Battle Space on Demand (BOND) WRT decision superiority
Battle space on Demand (BonD) supports the long-range Naval Oceanography strategy for linking environmental data to
timely and informed decisions – a key aspect of decision superiority.
114.5 Discuss the tiers of Battle Space on Demand. (ref. b): a. The Data Layer (Tier 0)
Consists of data collected while observing the atmosphere and the ocean using a vast range of in-situ sensors and remote
sensors, including satellites, altimeters, gliders, buoys, and master clocks, assimilated and fused to provide initial and boundary conditions that accurately describe the current ocean and atmosphere environment, as well as the celestial and temporal
reference frames. The output is a collection of raw observation data on the state of the physical environment.
114.5 Discuss the tiers of Battle Space on Demand. (ref. b):b. The Environment Layer (Tier 1)
In Tier 1, the Tier 0 data are analyzed, processed, and merged into databases and/or prediction systems or numerical models
operated on High Performance Computing (HPC) systems to forecast the future state of the environment. The output is a set of
predictions, in space and time, of the expected physical environn1ent for whatever operation is under consideration. The output
can also contain a ‘confidence factor’.
114.5 Discuss the tiers of Battle Space on Demand. (ref. b):c. The Performance Layer (Tier 2)
In Tier 2, the predicted environment is used in conjunction with information about the operational environment to predict how
forces, sensors, weapons systems, and platforms will perform over time in a given operational situation. This information is
analyzed to provide meaning with respect to implications for the operation, such as influences on planning, force structure,
targeting, timing, maneuver, tactics, techniques and procedures. The output of this fusion of information about the predicted
environment and the friendly and enemy situation is an impact assessment in terms the operator understands, again with a
confidence factor if appropriate. Situational awareness is the desired outcome at this level.
114.5 Discuss the tiers of Battle Space on Demand. (ref. b):d. The Decision Layer (Tier 3)
In Tier 3, the situational awareness gained in Tier 2 is applied to specific situations to quantify risk and opportunity at
strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Here, actionable recommendation are made to the decision-maker regarding force
allocation and employment that directly enhance safety and warfighting effectiveness. In Tier 3, the performance predictions
made in Tier 2 are considered with alternative scenarios to develop optimal solutions, i.e., courses of action (COAs), and to
understand probabilities of success and elements of risk. The intent is to make recommendations that take maximum advantage
of asymmetric opportunities in the changing physical environment, to provide the most advantage to our forces, and the most
disadvantages to the enemy. The output is a decision recommendation with compelling rationale, based on our best
understanding of the physical environment. The decision-maker cor1bines knowledge of the present and future situation with
their judgment into situational understanding to facilitate superior decision-making.
114.6 Define the Navy Enterprise Portal (NEP-Oc).
The Navy Enterprise Portal - Oceanography (NEP-Oc) has been created as the Naval Oceanography mission extension to the
Navy Enterprise Portal. NEP-Oc will serve as a single access point for all METOC web-accessible information on the NIPRNet
and SIPRNet.
114.7 Identify/discuss which NMOC commands provide “Maritime Support” and where those commands are located.
a. Mixed Fleet Weather Center (FWC), Norfolk, VA
b. Fleet Weather Center (FWC), San Diego, CA
c. Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Pearl Harbor, HI
114.8 Discuss the following Maritime Support products (ref. b):a. OTSR Route surveillance message:
Issued upon receipt of MOVREP requesting service confirming OTSR surveillance
will be provided.
114.8 Discuss the following Maritime Support products (ref. b):b. OTSR Route and Divert recommendation
- OTSR Route Recommendation: Planning route issued upon request that considers ship’s limits, operational
constraints, currents, icebergs, time/fuel savings. Planning routes must be requested 72 hours before getting
underway. - OTSR Divert Recommendation: Issued when conditions are forecast to exceed wind or seas limits as determined.
114.8 Discuss the following Maritime Support products (ref. b):c. Special weather advisory:
Issued for prolonged periods of heavy weather in high-traffic areas of the AOR, 72+ hours in
advance.
114.8 Discuss the following Maritime Support products (ref. b):d. WEAX
A tailored weather and sea state forecast along a unit’s Points of Intended Movement (PIM), MODLOC, or OCONUS
port. Requested via the ship’s MOVREP, the WEAX is produced once daily (twice daily for special circumstances or upon
request). Disseminated via message traffic or E-111ail, the WEAX includes a 24-hour forecast and 48-hour winds/seas outlook.
114.8 Discuss the following Maritime Support products (ref. b):e. OPAREA forecast:
Produced once a day for major operating areas: the forecasts are transmitted via message traffic and
posted to the NEP-Oc. The product includes a 24-hour forecast and 48-hour outlook.
114.9 Define/discuss the mission of NMOC’s “Fleet Operations”.
The mission of Fleet Operations is to provide timely, comprehensive and tactically relevant METOC products and services in
direct support of deploying Carrier Strike Group (CSG), Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), and Amphibious Readiness Group
(ARG) Commanders, assigned units, staff and other U.S. and Joint or Coalition forces, as directed.
114.10 Identify/discuss which NMOC commands provide “Aviation Support” and where those commands are located.
Aviation weather support is provided by Fleet Weather Center (FWC), Norfolk, VA and Fleet Weather Center, San Diego. FWC
Norfolk has an aviation detachment located in Sembach, Germany. FWC San Diego has aviation detachments located in Atsugi,
Japan and Pearl Harbor.
114.11 Discuss the following aviation support products. (refs b, f):
