CHIPS Articles: Navy Information Operations Command Whidbey Island Receives AOC Outstanding Unit Award

The annual AOC Awards recognize individuals and units for their outstanding performance in furthering the aims of the Association of Old Crows in support of the United States or Allied Electronic Warfare (EW), Information Operations (IO), and Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO).

"The Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Richardson, has stated that 'the margins of victory are razor thin — but decisive.' With this in mind, we leverage the talent and diversity of our Sailors, encourage them share and build off of each other's ideas, and support their innovative solutions" said Cmdr. Tim McGeehan, commanding officer, NIOC Whidbey Island. "This award recognizes the competitive advantage they provide to our Navy and our Nation every day."

This is the sixth time that NIOC Whidbey Island has been awarded the AOC Outstanding Unit Award since 2009. The command has made contributions to the development and execution of EW and non-kinetic strike operations across the many different areas of responsibility.

"It comes down to training. Everyone is encouraged to have a voice and share ideas. As a whole it allows us to strive to fulfill and perform beyond what is expected of us in regards to the Navy and mission. As a result we accomplish things together that we would not as individuals," said Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 2nd Class John Ureste, who is assigned to NIOC Whidbey Island.

NIOC Whidbey Island Sailors supported seven Carrier Strike Groups, three Amphibious Readiness Groups, eight Electronic Attack squadrons, two Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare squadrons, four Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron detachment sites, and two Joint Special Operations Command individual augmentations.

"As a unit we continually strive to stay relevant and current. We focus on effective communication as a key component towards fusing our capabilities with those across the fleet. We train our Sailors to find the gaps and fill them through collaboration, combining their unique skills and with the skills of those they are deployed with," said Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Joshua Veit, maritime nodal analyst, NIOC Whidbey Island.

Locally, NIOC Whidbey Island Sailors provided technical analysis, maintenance, and support to distributed customers. They worked across the Navy's Information Warfare Community lines to unite Navy-wide efforts, increase capacity, and set the new standard for Navy EMW modeling and simulation in support of operational commanders.

"NIOC Whidbey Island and its Sailors have a well-earned reputation for sustained excellence. In part, they achieve the impact of a much larger unit because they are extremely effective at building relationships with their mission partners and are recognized innovative leaders within the information warfare community," said Capt. James Mills, chief of staff, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet.

NIOC Whidbey Island executes analysis, training, certification, planning, and direct support augmentation to naval air and surface forces engaged in operations worldwide as a subordinate to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S. 10th Fleet.

U.S. Fleet Cyber Command serves as the Navy component command to U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Cyber Command, and the Navy's Service Cryptologic Component commander under the National Security Agency/Central Security Service. Fleet Cyber Command also reports directly to the Chief of Naval Operations as an Echelon II command.

U.S. 10th Fleet is the operational arm of Fleet Cyber Command and executes its mission through a task force structure similar to other warfare commanders. In this role, C10F provides operational direction through its Maritime Operations Center located at Fort George Meade, Maryland, executing command and control over assigned forces in support of Navy or joint missions in cyber/networks, cryptologic/signals intelligence and space.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/FCCC10F/.

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