Navy Information Dominance Forces Command Hosts Ceremony Commemorating Navy's Newest TYCOM

From NAVIDFOR Public Affairs

SUFFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- An official ribbon cutting ceremony marking the establishment of Navy Information Dominance Forces (NAVIDFOR) Command was held Jan. 28 at the DoD complex in Suffolk, Va.

The ceremony commemorated the establishment of the Navy's newest global Type Command (TYCOM) responsible for the man, train, equip and readiness mission for all Navy Information Dominance (ID) capabilities afloat and ashore.

"Much work has been done to prepare for NAVIDFOR's establishment," said Rear Adm. Matthew J. Kohler, commander, Navy Information Dominance Forces Command, as he spoke to an audience of flag officers, senior executives, local community leaders and NAVIDFOR personnel. "I'd personally like to thank all of you who were essential in getting NAVIDFOR on its feet and underway."

NAVIDFOR was established to improve the generation and sustainment of ID force readiness across the Navy under a single TYCOM. Since Oct. 1, 2014, NAVIDFOR has been consolidating and aligning missions, functions, and tasks previously managed by separate ID commands (specifically, Navy Cyber Forces Command, Fleet Cyber Command, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, and the Office of Naval Intelligence).

"NAVIDFOR's mission is unique among the TYCOM's," said Kohler. "While it has traditional man, train and equip readiness responsibilities for afloat and expeditionary units, NAVIDFOR also supports the Information Dominance commands ashore [Fleet Cyber Command, Office of Naval Intelligence and Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command] as well as readiness of the Navy's networks both afloat and ashore."

The Navy doesn't establish a TYCOM very often. The most recent being the U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) nine years ago.

"Navy Information Dominance Forces joins the ranks of the Navy's other TYCOMs; Naval Surface Forces, Naval Submarine Forces, Naval Air Forces, Naval Special Warfare Command, Military Sealift Command and Naval Expeditionary Combat Command," said Kohler. "Unlike other TYCOM's that are usually formed around "platforms" such as ships, submarines and aircraft, NAVIDFOR is the first TYCOM to be formed around a capability; Information Dominance."

TYCOMs drive the business of the Navy as force-generating organizations, ensuring that deploying Navy units are ready for the full scope of warfighting missions. They ensure units are properly equipped and manned with the appropriately skilled personnel. TYCOMs ensure these forces are trained on the latest tactics, techniques and procedures, and are equipped with the best weapons and tools the Navy can provide.

As warfighting has evolved over the years, so too has the United States Navy, always striving to meet the nation's needs, said guest speaker Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. "Today the establishment of NAVIDFOR represents the next evolution in the Navy's effort to keep the fleet ready to fight and win."

Davidson highlighted the impact the new TYCOM will have on the Navy and Information Dominance Corps. "Our fleet and our tactical commanders must have information dominance capabilities to fight and win - especially in a contested battlespace," said Davidson. "That's why NAVIDFOR has been established here in Hampton Roads with the fleet - bonding the ID forces and [other] fleet forces inextricably, closer than ever before."

While just getting started, NAVIDFOR has been given all the tools necessary to succeed. NAVIDFOR is fully operational and already making improvements to advance warfighting capabilities. Since establishment of the command in October, it has begun capturing and standardizing readiness reporting and has improved cybersecurity capabilities through nearly a dozen man train and equip initiatives.

"While much work has been done, much more will be accomplished by NAVIDFOR to improve Navy warfighting readiness and mission success." said Kohler. "We are excited about the opportunities to elevate the Navy's and information dominance capabilities to the next level of warfighting."