Surface ship CIC watches
a. Tactical Action Officer (TAO)- He or she represents the commanding officer on all matters concerning the tactical employment and defense of the ship. Display and decision (D&D) area and must be kept informed of the general tactical situation in order to make the best evaluation of the information available in CIC.
b. CIC Watch Officer (CICWO)- Responsible for the coordination of all CIC functions. He or she coordinates all surface and tactical information, makes recommendations to the evaluator/TAO and to conn, and supervises the collection and display of all available information on surface contacts.
c. Electronic Warfare Supervisor (EWS)- EW watch supervisor is responsible to the CIC watch officer or the TAO, or to the EW watch officer (if assigned), for the following duties:
- · Evaluating EW data and making required internal and external reports.
· Supervising the filtering of EW data for display on various plots.
· Exercising the overall control of the EW watch section, including monitoring intercept search operations; coordinating watch rotation and equipment use; and supervising on-watch training and normal watch routines, such as publication inventory, equipment operational checks, and log keeping.
d. Air Warfare Coordinator (AWC)- He or she will be responsible for the collection of information in their particular warfare area and the dissemination to the force of evaluated information in those areas. Warfare commanders will maintain continuous liaison with each other to ensure timely flow of mutually supporting information and avoid mutual interference. systems which have effective ranges that extend beyond the local area in which the ship is operating. Since warfare commanders are normally assigned authority to employ these weapons, this may cause situations in which one commander has tactical control of a ship and another has control of that ship’s force weapons systems. If firing the weapon does not interfere with the tasking of the ship, there is generally no problem. However, if significant maneuvering is required, coordination between the appropriate warfare commanders is vital in prosecuting the threat.
e. Surface Warfare Coordinator (SUWC)- Responsible for the collection of information in their particular warfare area and the dissemination to the force of evaluated information in those areas. Warfare commanders will maintain continuous liaison with each other to ensure timely flow of mutually supporting information and avoid mutual interference. systems which have effective ranges that extend beyond the local area in which the ship is operating. Since warfare commanders are normally assigned authority to employ these weapons, this may cause situations in which one commander has tactical control of a ship and another has control of that ship’s force weapons systems. If firing the weapon does not interfere with the tasking of the ship, there is generally no problem. However, if significant maneuvering is required, coordination between the appropriate warfare commanders is vital in prosecuting the threat.
f. Undersea Warfare Coordinator (USWC)- He or she is responsible for the collection of information in their particular warfare area and the dissemination to the force of evaluated information in those areas. Warfare commanders will maintain continuous liaison with each other to ensure timely flow of mutually supporting information and avoid mutual interference. systems which have effective ranges that extend beyond the local area in which the ship is operating. Since warfare commanders are normally assigned authority to employ these weapons, this may cause situations in which one commander has tactical control of a ship and another has control of that ship’s force weapons systems. If firing the weapon does not interfere with the tasking of the ship, there is generally no problem. However, if significant maneuvering is required, coordination between the appropriate warfare commanders is vital in prosecuting the threat.
g. Air Controllers (ASTAC/AIC/HDC)- Air intercept controller (AIC) exercise close or advisory control of intercepts and other non-ASW aircraft assigned to own ship. They can vector aircraft on intercepts recommended by the NTDS program or based on their own determination. They are directly responsible to the SWC for the effective intercept of specified targets and for vectoring intercept aircraft to CAP stations. The antisubmarine air controller (ASAC) controls fixed-wing and rotary aircraft engaged in ASW operations. The ASAC is responsible for the flight safety of ASW assets under that officer’s control when operating in a missile engagement zone.
h. CIC Watch Supervisor (CICWS)- He or she has the same duties as the senior Operations Specialist, which are the following:
- · Brief the watch team on any expected threats.
· Ensure that personnel are employing proper procedures for assigned watch stations.
· Supervise the setup and operation of all equipment in CIC.
· Review all intelligence data.
· Verify that R/T nets are guarded and that a proper log is maintained, if applicable.
· Determine the location of the OTC, the CWC, and other warfare coordinators and commanders.
· Review the message board.
· Ensure that all status boards are up-to-date.
· Maintain geographic and strategic plots.
· Supervise the overall operation of enlisted personnel in CIC.
· Assist the officer of the deck (OOD) in determining meanings of tactical signals and station assignments and provide maneuvering recommendations to execute those signals and assignments.
i. Radar Operator- Tracks and reports all surface contacts, using proper designations; manipulates the surface search radar controls to maintain the radar in peak operating condition; and reports positions of ASW aircraft and assist ships to the DRT plotter.
j. Shipping Officer- Advises conn of the position, course, speed, and closest point of approach (CPA) of all surface contacts in the area, with particular emphasis on small craft appearing at short range and contacts that have changed course or have erratic courses and speeds.
k. Piloting Officer- He or she supervises the radar navigation team to ensure accurate and prompt fixing of the ship’s position by using all electronic means available. He advises conn of the ship’s position, recommended courses and times to turn, position of geographic and navigational objects in the vicinity of the ship, and any potential navigational hazards. The piloting officer recommends alternate tracks, if available, to the navigator and conn when the primary track is blocked or made hazardous by the presence of shipping or other contacts.
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