Fleet Cryptology: Roles, Missions, and Operations in Naval Cyber and Signals Intelligence

Mission of Fleet Cryptology

To deliver competitive outcomes in all domains of warfare through the application of Cyberspace Operations (CO), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Electronic Warfare (EW).

Vision of Fleet Cryptology

To support and defend U.S. interests, the community will operate as a fully integrated part of the Information Warfare Community (IWC) by optimizing combat power through integrating the elements of Assured Command and Control (AC2), Battlespace Awareness, and Integrated Fires.

Fleet Commander

Operational Authority and Mission Direction.

Roles and Responsibilities of Fleet Commander

Directing and exercising operational command (OPCON) over assigned Naval forces. The ultimate decision-maker for applying Information Warfare (IW) capabilities, including Cryptology, to achieve theater-level objectives.

Numbered Fleet Cryptologist

Senior Cryptologic Advisor and Functional Manager.

Roles and Responsibilities of Numbered Fleet Cryptologist

Serves as the principal advisor to the Fleet Commander and Fleet Information Warfare Commander (IWC) on all cryptologic and related IW matters (SIGINT, EW, and CO).

Numbered Fleet CRC

Central Tasking, Feedback, and Support Hub.

Roles and Responsibilities of Numbered Fleet CRC

The central coordination node within the Numbered Fleet, managing the Cryptologic Collection Plan-CCP, reporting, and providing reach-back support to deploying Cryptologic Operations (CRYO) elements.

Numbered Fleet ACRC

Augmentation, Training, and Support.

Roles and Responsibilities of Numbered Fleet ACRC

Typically assists the CRC in its functions and may be delegated specific responsibilities.

Carrier Strike Group/Amphibious Ready Group Commander

Ultimate authority and responsibility for all operations.

Information Warfare Commander

Serves as the Composite Warfare Commander (CWC) responsible for IW.

Integrated Fires Officer

Manages the planning and execution of non-kinetic fires and integrates them with kinetic fires.

Battle Space Awareness Officer

Responsible for leveraging all available sensors to establish and maintain the Battlespace Awareness picture.

Assured C2 Officer

Responsible for the Defense of the Enterprise and ensuring the command can function through attacks on its networks and communications.

SUPPLOT/EXPLOT

SUPPLOT (Supplementary Plot) and EXPLOT (Exploitation Plot) are traditional spaces/teams on platforms.

CRC

Cryptologic Readiness Center provides reach-back support to the deploying group.

ACRC

Assistant Cryptologic Readiness Center supports the CRC in managing personnel, equipment, training, and logistical needs.

CASE

Cryptologic Augmentation Support Element is a deployable team that provides additional/specialized cryptologic collection, analysis, and IW support.

BFEA/NOA

Battle Force Electronic Analyst/Naval Operational Analyst provide in-depth EW planning and advanced analysis.

BFCA/SICOR

Battle Force Cryptologic Analyst/Signals Intelligence Collection/Operations Reporter focuses on the Comms Intelligence (COMINT) aspect.

Nodal Analyst

Specialized cryptologic analyst focused on specific target networks, communications, and links.

DCO Deployer

Typically a CWT (Cyber Warfare Technician) or a specialized team that deploys to conduct DCO-Internal Defensive Measures.

Commanding Officer

The senior officer with ultimate command responsibility for all personnel, missions, and assets.

TAO

Tactical Action Officer, Commanding Officer's direct representative for the tactical employment of the ship's weapons systems.

SIGWO

Signals Intelligence Watch Officer, an officer in charge of the Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) watch team.

SSES Watch Supervisor

Ship's Signals Exploitation Space (SSES) Watch Supervisor is the senior enlisted operator responsible for the tactical supervision of the cryptologic watch floor.

SSES Maintenance Technician

A Cryptologic Technician Maintenance (CTM), responsible for the upkeep of the unit's cryptologic and information warfare systems.

SSES Operators

CTRs (analyze signals), CTTs (radar surveillance), and CTIs (translating foreign comms) who perform the core mission of signals intelligence collection and analysis.

EW Supervisor

The Electronic Warfare Supervisor is an enlisted watchstander responsible for managing the unit's organic Electronic Support (ES) data.

EW Operator

The EW Operator, typically a Cryptologic Technician Technical (CTT), operates the unit's electronic warfare systems.

SPECEVAL

Specialized evaluation conducted on collected intelligence or a particular aspect of the reconnaissance mission.

SPECOP

Specific or unconventional intelligence gathering missions conducted by special operations forces.

LABOP

Operations involving the use of specialized laboratories or facilities to analyze collected intelligence or signals.

BWC

Battle Watch Captain. The senior FIOC watch stander responsible for overall supervision of the watch floor.

BWC Supervisor

Supports the BWC by managing watch rotations, enforcing watch floor standards, and overseeing junior watch standers.

TECHELINT Analyst

Conducts detailed analysis of intercepted emitter parameters and updates the ELINT technical database.

CTR Technical SIGINT Analyst

Specializes in communications-intelligence processing, decoding protocols, and mapping adversary comms nets.

BFEA

Battle Force Electronic Attack. Plans and directs organic jamming and electronic deception missions.

BFCA

Battle Force Cryptologic Analyst. Correlates real-time COMINT and ELINT intercepts across multiple sensors.

CTR Collection Operator

Monitors and tunes FIOC collection receivers to intercept radar and communications emissions.

CTI Collection Operator

Executes voice and data intercepts, performs initial language or data-type identification.

Database Manager

Maintains and curates the SIGINT/ELINT technical libraries and mission databases.

Collection Manager

Prioritizes cryptologic collection tasks based on commander's critical information requirements.

Standard augmentation

A request sent by a unit to 10th fleet for personnel such as deployable CWTs, CTRs, or CTIs.

RFS

Request for Support is a formal request for assistance from another unit or command.

RFF

Request for Forces. A formal request made by a military commander for additional military units.

CCOP install and maintenance support

The Cryptologic Carry-On Program (CCOP) provides deployed naval units with advanced ISR capabilities.

FES personnel augmentation support

Fleet Electronic Support (FES) operations focus on providing electronic and cyber warfare capabilities.

Regional SALs

Forward-deployed elements that act as critical hubs within the broader GSAL construct.

CCP

A Cryptologic Combat Program (CCP) is a document that details cryptologic and cyber operations during a mission.

CFR

A Cryptologic Feedback Report (CFR) is used to provide feedback on the effectiveness of a cryptologic operation.

Daily intention message

A tactical-level message that provides day-to-day guidance and tasking to cryptologic personnel.

Weekly intention message

A strategic-level message that provides a broader overview of the cryptologic mission for the coming week.

Threat warning reports

Rapid alerts about developing or imminent threats that require immediate attention.

Finished intelligence reports

The final product of the intelligence cycle, a comprehensive and analyzed report for strategic decision-making.