Naval Network and Space Operations Command (NNSOC) was established on July 12, 2002, through the merger of elements of Naval Space Command at Dahlgren, Va., and the Naval Network Operations Command in Washington, D.C. This action was part of a broader organizational realignment that also established the Naval Network Warfare Command (NETWARCOM) as the service’s first type commander for the Navy network and the information technology, information operations and space systems that support it. NETWARCOM was created to be the central operational authority responsible for coordinating all information technology, information operations, and space requirements and operations within the Navy.

As a subordinate of Naval Network Warfare Command, NNSOC is responsible for operating and maintaining telecommunications and space infrastructure that supports naval operations. NNSOC executes oversight of shore-to-ship network services and operations to include messaging, voice and IP connectivity, ground and space segments for Navy’s satellite communication systems, overseas communications networks, and the Navy portion of the Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI). Additionally, on April 4, 2005, Commander Naval Network and Space Operations Command also assumed the title as Director of Global Operations for NETWARCOM.

Headquartered at Dahlgren, Va., NNSOC consolidates headquarters and operational elements of the former Naval Space Command and Naval Network Operations Command. Organizations assigned as subordinate commands to NNSOC include the Naval Satellite Operations Center in Point Mugu, Calif.; Fleet Surveillance Support Command in Chesapeake, Va.; and the regional Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Stations (NCTAMS) in Norfolk, Va., and Wahiawa, Hawaii.

Operations

The availability of accurate and timely information is essential to the successful operation of a globally dispersed Navy. Today, lines of communication to and from deployed units have been established through a sophisticated architecture of satellites, ground control facilities and computer networks capable of carrying voice, data, messages, video services and imagery. The merger of Naval Space Command with Naval Network Operations Command to form NNSOC created, for the first time, a Navy organization charged with end-to-end operational oversight of all elements of Fleet and shore communications – ground, space and user segments. NNSOC’s broad-reaching charter is to function as the principal interface with the Fleet and Marine Operating Forces for providing network services and space-derived products and information. The command’s operational support is focused in three functional areas: networks, telecommunications and space.

Networks

Naval Network and Space Operations Command consolidates management of Navy’s enterprise networks and information technology resources. Direct interface with the Fleet is provided through the two regional NCTAMS. Each NCTAMSmaintains a Joint Fleet Telecommunications Operations Center (JFTOC) to provide e-mail and web-based services, naval messaging, voice and video services to afloat customers in their respective area of responsibility (AOR). Three Fleet Network Operations Centers (FLTNOCs) – one each collocated with eachof the two NCTAMS and oneat Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Bahrain – provide the interface between ashore and IT21 (afloat) networks for web-based services and IP connectivity for all ships underway or pierside within their AORs. In addition, the Pacific and Atlantic AORs include a Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) Network Operations Center to provide similar services and security oversight for Navy NMCI customers in the continental United States. The regional NCMI Network Operations Centers report to the NMCI Global NOC (GNOC) in Norfolk, Va.

Together, the JFTOCs and their respective subordinate FLTNOCs support Naval Network and Space Operations Command’s oversight of critical Navy networks. The NMCI GNOC and regional NOCs serve as NNSOC’s interface with shore commands in the continental United States and provides operational network management of NMCI.

Telecommunications

In addition to managing the ground and space-based components of the Navy’s communications networks, Naval Network and Space Operations Command is the telecommunications service provider for ashore, mobile ground force, and afloat Navy units around the world. The command provides Fleet support communications, including Fleet, general and special-broadcast relay, point-to-point, and ship-to-shore communications.

Satellite Communications. NNSOC manages the operational use of communication channels and payloads on board assigned military spacecraft, to include the Fleet Satellite (FLTSAT) communication system and UHF Follow-On (UHF F⁄O) satellite system. The command also coordinates the service’s use of commercial SATCOM – to include the commissioning of shipboard INMARSAT terminals – as well as other communications satellites operated by the Department of Defense.

Submarine Communications. Naval Network and Space Operations Command provides communications service to U.S. Navy submarines while underway through the Fixed Submarine Broadcast System (FSBS). NNSOC manages the system’s regional and global infrastructure and coordinates directly with submarine Type Commands and broadcast control authorities for system maintenance and upgrades. Very-low-frequency⁄low-frequency spectrum communications to submarines over FSBS are handled through regional field sites operated by the NCTAMS and their subordinate stations.

Messaging. NNSOC is charged with the operation of the Defense Message System (DMS) as well as legacy systems to provide organizational messaging services to all Navy commands and activities.

Base Level Information Infrastructure. Naval Network and Space Operations Command serves as the single focal point for Navy base communications office operations at facilities in CONUS and overseas. The regional NCTAMS operate approximately 100 Navy base communications offices and serve over 500,000 Navy customers.

Space

Space Systems Management. The command provides operational management and systems expertise for satellite communications systems to include theFleet Satellite (FLTSAT) Communications System and UHF Follow-On (UHF F⁄O) spacecraft. In this capacity, NNSOC monitors space systems, supports contingency planning, coordinates anomaly resolution and provides user assistance. NNSOC is designated as the Satellite System Expert (SSE) for UHF Follow-on (UHF F⁄O) Extremely-High-Frequency (EHF) UFO⁄E-EE, Fleet Satellite (FLTSAT) EHF Package (FEP), and Polar EHF Payloads; as well as UHF F⁄O and FLTSAT UHF payloads and Global Broadcast Service (GBS) Phase II. The SSE is responsible for providing staff and engineering support for the space, control, and terminal segments of non-Milstar EHF, UHF, and GBS. NNSOC is also the Naval Satellite Operations Manager (NSOM) for commercial satellite communications.

Satellite Telemetry, Tracking and Commanding. A subordinate command to NNSOC – the Naval Satellite Operations Center, or NAVSOC – is charged with maintaining the health and welfare of satellites that are critical to naval operations. Headquartered in Point Mugu, Calif., NAVSOC uses a state-of-the-art distributed mission control system to maintain telemetry, tracking and control of operational and scientific satellites. NAVSOC also provides on-orbit technical and engineering support in conjunction with spacecraft operations.

Direct Downlink of Space Tactical Data. Sailors assigned to NNSOC’s Detachment ECHO, located at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, deploy worldwide as operators for the Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS). This joint Army⁄Navy program provides enhanced capability to detect tactically significant targets using the Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites. JTAGS is one component of U.S. Strategic Command's Tactical Event System (TES) architecture. A completely transportable system, JTAGS is allocated to the theater by U.S. Strategic Command and links directly into theater communications systems to provide timely and accurate launch location information, impact area prediction, and positional information in order to support warning and targeting requirements for all services on events critical to theater missile defense.

Innovation

Naval Network and Space Operations Command’s efforts to promote innovative technological solutions to current and future Fleet operational requirements comprise another important mission focus. NNSOC’s Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP) staff interfaces directly with the Fleet to coordinate and assist with demonstrations of leading-edge space systems technologies that potentially could enhance a capability of the Fleet or Marine Operating Forces.

Training & Education

Another core function of Naval Network and Space Operations Command – and critical to our mission – is the development of training and education for the Fleet and Marine Operating Forces. The command is focused on building awareness of space and information systems among Sailors and Marines.

NNSOC is tasked to exploit the proliferation of web technology and distance learning tools to make space and information system education available “on demand“ to naval personnel deployed around the globe. This focus addresses operational requirements and tempo unique to the Navy.

Finally, NNSOC serves to institutionalize space education throughout the Navy through its sponsorship of formal curricula at the Naval Academy, Naval Postgraduate School and Naval War College. At each of those institutions, NNSOC funds space “chairs“ to support the development of curricula and degree programs focused on space operations and space systems engineering.

Disestablishment & Consolidation

The results of a CNO-sponsored study conducted in 2004 and a separate manpower study accomplished at both NETWARCOM and NNSOC, CNO approved the recommendation to consolidate NNSOC and NETWARCOM. In response to that decision, NETWARCOM initiated a reorganization of headquarters staff and subordinate commands. In early 2005, NETWARCOM briefed its reorganization proposals through Commander Fleet Forces Command and the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. Approval to proceed with the reorganization was granted through CNO on Feb. 24, 2005.

NNWC’s approved reorganization disestablishes NNSOC as a subordinate command on Sept. 30, 2006 and realigns much of the current NNSOC organization within the NETWARCOM headquarters.