Newest IWCs are Heading to the Fleet!
08 November 2022
Norfolk, Va. -- Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC) held a graduation ceremony Nov. 4 for seven new Information Warfare Commanders (IWC) in its fourth iteration of the Prospective-IWC class. This is the first class to graduate under Capt. Bryan Braswell, commander, NIWDC, who forged a place in IW history as the first afloat IWC. A significant milestone, Braswell served on board USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group as the IWC from 2015 until 2017. These IWCs successfully completed the rigorous three-week course, and are now equipped with more in-depth knowledge of Battle Space Awareness (BA), Assured Command and Control (AC2), as well as Integrated Fires (IF); and a network of resources to aid in the accomplishment of the IW mission at large.
“This course helped solidify and operationalize concepts and practices of integrating IW at the level of a CSG,” said Capt. Zachary Mckeehan, one of the graduates who will report to Carrier Strike Group Nine as the IWC.
The objective of the IWC course is to educate selected P-IWC candidates to integrate within the Composite Warfare Commander (CWC) construct, and to plan, integrate, and synchronize IW into CSG, Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG) operations, and Fleet Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs).
Capt. Danielle Williams, CSG Four, stated the class provided, “A foundation in which to build upon as I integrate and work with other Warfare Commanders.” This foundation is accomplished throughout the course with class presentations, guest lectures, table top scenarios, and practical exercises.
In addition, site visits to United States Fleet Forces Command / Commander 2
nd Fleet, Naval Information Forces, Information Warfare Training Group Norfolk, and various local commands give students a practical look at how IW is employed and supported throughout the fleet. “There is importance and complexity of integrating IW in all levels of Carrier Strike Group operations. It is critical in everything we do!” Capt. Mitchell H. Finke concluded.
“I appreciate the opportunity to train and educate these key Fleet IW leaders to help prepare them for high-end competition,” stated Braswell.
NIWDC is the U.S. Navy’s IW tactical center of excellence, which enhances fleet high-end warfighting capabilities and readiness across the operational and tactical levels of war. For more information on NIWDC, visit
https://www.navifor.usff.navy.mil/Organization/Operational-Forces/NIWDC/ or NIWDC’s Facebook page,
https://www.facebook.com/NIWDC .
-USN-