In a bit to boost readiness in the realm of information warfare, the Navy is cementing training focused on next-generation threats and missions.
The Navy’s Information Warfare Training Group, located in Norfolk, Virginia, aims to provide sailors with beginner and intermediate training in cyber, electronic warfare, cryptology, intelligence, communications, meteorology and oceanography and space.
Advanced training will take place at the Navy Information Warfare Development Command, according to a Department of Defense release.
Navy officials cut the ribbon at the group’s new headquarters March 28, when Vice Adm. Matthew Kohler, Naval Information Forces commander, served as a guest speaker. Capt. Chris Slattery is the group’s inaugural commanding officer.
The IWTG is “providing deploying carrier strike groups and amphibious readiness groups with training across the disciplines of communications, defensive cyber operations, offensive cyber, EW and space,” Vice Adm. Michael Gilday told C4ISRNET in a recent interview. “So we’re taking those functions and we’re training our deploying ships, aircraft squadrons, aircraft wings so that those functions are integrated into what they do, and they understand them better.”
A key goal of the new group is to formalize training in those areas, and it’s part of a broader emphasis on information warfare across the Navy, according to officials.
“This completes a larger effort in the information warfare community to increase readiness throughout the Navy through the establishment of the Information Warfare Type Commander, Warfighting Development Center and Training Group,” Slattery said in the release.
