ProKnow: Surface Warfare

surface warfare mission

to provide combat ready ships to the fleet; and to supply those ships and supporting commands with the leadership, manpower, equipment, training, and material needed to achieve operational excellence and conduct prompt, sustained combat operations at sea to ensure victory

surface fleet operations

air warfare (AW), surface warfare (SUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), ballistic missile defense (BMD), strike warfare (STW), maritime interdiction operations (MIO), naval surface fire support (NSFS), electronic warfare (EW), expeditionary warfare (EXW), amphibious warfare (AMW), mine warfare (MIW), mobility (MOB)

SWO Pin

waves breaking before a ships bow, overlaid on crossed swords, rendered in gold, symbolizing naval service

swo pin introduction date

1975

what does the SWO pin represent

achievement in surface warfare proficiency

Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist insignia (ESWS Pin)

silver, rest is the same as swo pin

when was the silver cutlass introduced and what does it signify?

April 1979, expertise in surface operations

for whom is the ESWS pin authorized?

enlisted personnel permanently stationed aboard a Navy afloat command who completed ESWS qualification program and personal qualification standard (PQS)

6 WTI (warfare tactics instructors) areas

integrated air and missile defense (IAMD), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surface warfare (SUW), mine warfare (MIW), amphibious warfare (AMW), and engineering (ENG)

midshipmen # selected for SWO(N) each year

fewer than 40

where is nuclear power school?

charleston, SC

what do SWO(N)s consider themselves

SWOs first

SWO(N) first station after nuclear power school

aircraft carrier as Propulsion Plant Watch Officer

when was the U.S. navy and american surface warfare born?

the american revolution

when was the continental navy established?

october 13, 1775

what was the raid of nassau?

Esek Hopkins and marines launched amphibious invasion (marked beginning of Navy-USMC bond)

Naval Act of 1794

authorized six frigates to combat the Barbary states

frigates completed by President Washington

USS United States, USS Constellation, and USS Constitution

Constellation significance in the Quasi-War with France

Commodore Truxton, grapeshot and crossing the T defeated French ships Insurgente and Vengeance

When did the war with the barbary states resume and what did president Jefferson do?

1801, deployed frigates to the Mediterranean

Battle of Derna significance

Commodore Preble’s refined surface tactics supported General Eaton’s troops

When was the Mediterranean squadron established, and what was its implication?

1815 after the 2nd barbary war, marked the shift from commerce protection to regulation

civil war inventions and significance

steam propulsion and iron; rendered traditional cannons ineffective

what did alfred thayer mahan’s advocacy for sea power require?

economic base, colonies, and a strong merchant marine

when was president Roosevelt’s great white fleet and how many ships were there?

1907; 16

Which ship did the great white fleet expose weaknesses in?

dreadnought-style USS south carolina

How did U.S. and British navies combat german u-boats?

conveys were escorted by cruisers and destroyers, addition of ASW to surface warfare

what was the last major naval battle in WWI and what were the groups called?

the battle of leyte gulf; hunter-killer groups

Which Korean War amphibious operation relied on naval transport and warships?

Inchon Invasion

What was introduced in the Vietnam war?

brown-water operations, SEALORDS strategy by ADM Elmo Zumwalt

What was President Reagan’s strategy against the Soviet Union?

600-ship navy

When was the AEGIS weapons system introduced and on what ship?

1983; USS Ticonderoga (CG-47)

What demonstrated precision strike capabilities during the global war on terror?

TLAM strikes such as Operation Viking Hammer (2003) and the Syrian airfield attack (2017)

intercepted a non-functioning satellite with an SM-3 missile in Operation burnt frost, demonstrating BMD capabilities

feb. 2008, USS Lake Erie (CG 70)

resolved the maersk alabama pirate hijacking in the indian ocean

april 2009, USS Bainbridge (DDG 96)

provided humanitarian aid during operation tomodachi to support japan’s recovery after the tohoku earthquake

march 2011, USS Ronald reagan (CVN 76)

defended multiple cruise missile attacks off yemen in the red sea and earned the battenberg cup for strategic excellence

october 2016, USS Mason (DDG 87)

launched 59 tomahawk land attack missiles against a syrian airfield, showcasing precision strike capabilities

april 2017, uss porter (ddg 78) and uss ross (ddg 71)

delivered disaster relief after hurricanes harvey, irma, and maria in the caribbean and gulf of mexico

2017, uss abraham lincoln (CVN 72)

arrived in sasebo japan, supporting F-35B Lightning II operations

dec 2019, uss america (LHA 6 )

intercepted an intercontinental ballistic missile with an sm-3 iia missile, validating advanced bmd systems

nov 2020, uss john finn (ddg 113)

tested a high-energy laser weapon against a surface threat, marking a milestone in directed-energy warfare

may 2021, uss portland (LPD 27)

was equipped with the high energy laser with integrated optical-dazzler and surveillance (HELIOS) system to counter cruise-missiles, advancing defensive capabilities

2022, uss preble (ddg 88)

neutralized multiple houthi-launched drones and missiles in the red sea during the israel-hamas conflict, protecting international shipping under operation prosperity guard

late 2023 to early 2024, uss mason (ddg 87), uss thomas hudner (ddg 116), and uss carney (ddg 64)

operated in the red sea conducting near-daily air and surface engagements against houthi attacks, highlighted the need for at-sea reloading capabilities like the transferable reload at sea method (TRAM)

uss harry s truman (cvn 75) carrier strike group

deployed in the eastern Mediterranean to counter iranian ballistic missile threats against israel, underscored the navy’s role in regional stability and deterrence against state-sponsored aggression

jun 2025, uss arleigh burke (DDG 51), uss thomas hudner (ddg 116), uss the sullivans (DDG 68), uss pauignatius (ddg 117), and uss oscar austin (ddg 79)

patrolled the suez canal and red sea, conducting maritime security operation to protect commercial shipping amid houthi threats

jun 2025, uss forests herman (ddg 98) and uss truxtun (ddg 103)

capabilties of the us navy

stealth, endurance, firepower, mobility, communication

carrier strike group ship elements

1 CVN, 1 CG, 2 DDGs, 1 SSN, 1 combined ammunition, oiler, and supply ship, 1 carrier air wing (approx 70 aircraft)

aircraft in a carrier strike group

F/A-18E/F super hornets,

EA-18G growlers

f-35c lightning ii

e-2d hawkeyes

c-2a greyhounds

cmv-22b osperys

mh-60r “romeo” seahawks

mh-60s “sierra” knighthawk

eight core capabilities of ESGs

power projection, maritime superiority, maritime special operations, amphibious operations, military operations other than war, enabling operations, supporting operations, and joint task force enabler

components of an esg

1 HA or LHD, 1 LPD, 1 LSD, 1 MEU, surface combatants, submarine

aircraft in an esg

f-35b lightning iis

mv-22 ospreys (V/STOL)

ah/-1w super cobra helicopters

uh-1 huey helicopters

mh-60s “sierra” helicopters

ch-53d seas stallion helicopters

ch-46d sea knight helicopters

kc-130j super hercules helicopter

key future developments

usvs, ddg(x), ffg 62 constellation class frigate, laser weapons systems, hypersonic weapons, directed energy and electronic warfare

when are ddg(x) expected to hit the fleet?

early 2030s

when will the ffg 62 constellation class frigate be completed?

2026

when are laser weapons systems supposed to be widely deployed

2030

who reports to the ood

tao, jood, joow, cicwo, eoow, communication watch officer, qmow, damage control watch, bmow, bridge talkers, dmaa

responsible for all topside maintenance, deck gear operation, small boats and seamanship. on ships without an air department, they are responsible for all aviation operations including landing and launching aircraft

BMs

responsible for monitoring radar systems, communication link systems, and back up navigation inside of combat central

operation specialist (OS)

responsible for monitoring and prosecuting electronic signals emitted by other targets as well as electronic countermeasure systems

cryptologic technician technical (CTT)

responsible for the safe navigation of the ship, and preparing all navigation routes

quartermaster (QM)

responsible for care and maintenance of all small arms, crew served weapons, and other installed weapon systems as well as ammunition

gunner’s mate (GM)

responsible for the operation of the ship’s sonar suite as well as anti-submarine warfare

sonar technician surface (STG)

responsible for the operation and maintenance of weapon targeting systems, to include the Aegis system

fire controlman (FC)

responsible for the maintenance and operation of all combat system electronic equipment, to include radars, radios and navigation positioning systems

electronics technician (ET)

responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ships LAN and computer systems

information systems technician (IT)

responsible for the operation and maintenance of all diesel engines and their sub systems

engineman (EN)

responsible for the operation and maintenance of the ship’s installed gas turbine engines

gas turbine systems technician mechanical (GSM)

responsible for the operation and maintenance of the gas turbine electronic control systems

gas turbine systems technician electrical (GSE)

responsible for the distribution and maintenance of electrical power systems throughout the ship

electrician’s mate (EM)

responsible for the maintenance and operation of all auxiliary engineering systems onboard to include air, water, and hydraulic systems

machinist’s mate (MM)

responsible for the maintenance and operation of all installed and portable damage control gear located throughout the ship

damage controlman (DC)

responsible for the physical structure of the ship; specialties include welding, brazing and repair broken tools and equipment

hull technician (HT)

responsible for the operation of the ships store and support services such as laundry, and hotel services

retail service specialist (SH)

responsible for ordering and maintenance of stock control of all required spare and replacement parts

logistics specialist (LS)

responsible for ordering and maintenance of stock control of food, as well as meal prep for the entire crew 3 times a day

culinary specialist (CS)

responsible for the processing of all administrative tasking as well as personnel reporting requests

yeoman (YN)

how many ships are operated by the military sealift command?

more than 110

what is the crew on military sealift command ships?

civilians

what are the five basic categories of USNS ships?

combat logistics force (CLF), special mission, prepositioning, service support, and sealift