IAMD WTI Re-Blue: Surface Fleet WTIs Prepare for Great Power Competition

Photo By Clinton Beaird | Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) patch  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

05.23.2019

Courtesy Story

Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC)

DAHLGREN, Va. – Thirty-six Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) participated in the third annual IAMD WTI Re-Blue hosted by Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center’s (SMWDC) IAMD Division onboard Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Va., May 20 to May 24.

WTI Re-Blue events bring WTIs, technical experts, and senior mentors together to sharpen warfighting skills with the most up-to-date fleet knowledge and skills needed to outpace strategic competitors. Re-Blue events are also conducted for Amphibious Warfare (AMW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare / Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) WTIs.

“We are in an era of great power competition, and the Re-Blue provides the opportunity for WTIs to have candid discussions about lethality, tactics and current technologies” said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Kennedy, prospective executive officer of USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). “WTIs are now serving in command at sea and it remains important that we take time to train to ensure we are ready to lead our crews properly in order to execute the commander’s intent.”

The Re-Blue is also a beneficial networking event which helps develop lasting and meaningful relationships within the WTI cadre. The WTI culture is a key component of the program that supports future tactical development in the Fleet and the transition of readiness into lethality.

“I am very pleased that this year our Re-Blue featured a number of in-depth presentations by IAMD WTIs serving in production tours from all the fleet concentration areas” said Lt. Cmdr. Eric Duffield, IAMD WTI program manager. “Topics included evolving challenges to precision navigation and timing, improved waterfront training for SPY radar operators, and data collection efforts to better understand the impact of radar clutter on our combat systems.”

WTIs in attendance also invested time to learn about updates to Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) and Live Fire with a Purpose (LFWAP) exercises to better prepare themselves for the support they provide to SMWDC to plan, lead, and execute advanced tactical training events in production tours.

“The Re-Blue of the IAMD WTI cadre is crucial to ensuring our understanding of new and developing tactics, techniques and procedures, especially as the capabilities of our adversaries continue to evolve” said Lt. Kathryn Thomas, a dual-patched IAMD WTI assigned to Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC). Thomas qualified as an expert IAMD WTI at SMWDC, and as a Hawkeye Weapons Tactics Instructor at NAWDC where she is completing a production tour onboard Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev.

SMWDC is a subordinate command of Commander, Naval Surface Forces and its mission is to increase the lethality and tactical proficiency of the Surface Force across all domains. It is headquartered onboard Naval Base San Diego with four divisions in Virginia and California focused on ASW/SUW, IAMD, AMW, and Mine Warfare.

• Date Taken: 05.23.2019
• Date Posted: 05.23.2019 19:35
• Story ID: 323829
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US