Twelve staff members of the forthcoming Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) closed their San Diego office April 24-May 1 to get underway with the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCS CSG) for the command’s maiden exercise.
A pilot event, SMWDC held the first ever Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) event aimed at improving warfighting proficiency within the Surface Forces.
SMWDC teamed-up with JCS CSG along with Destroyer Squadron 21 (DESRON 21) during a multi-ship Group Sail (GRUSL) and an Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX) to introduce SWATT: a new prospective training standard aimed to increase the tactical readiness of the surface fleet.
The next trial SWATT is scheduled for fall 2015 with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.
SMWDC will be headquarted in San Diego and commanded by Rear Adm. James Kilby and Deputy Commander, Capt. Frank Olmo. The specifics on upcoming facilities, establishment and locations have not been finalized.
Image: US Navy