Kelly Aeschbach Archives

Rear Adm. Michael Vernazza, commander Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC) speaks at the first day of the U.S. Navy Information Warfare (IW) Pavilion speaker’s series on February 16, 2022. (U.S. Navy Photo by Robert Fluegel/Released)

Navy to get new information boss

Rear Adm. Michael Vernazza was nominated to be the next commander of Naval Information Forces.

May 9, 2024 By Mark Pomerleau

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group transits the Pacific Ocean Jan. 25, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Isaacs)

Navy’s Pacific information warfare command coordinating vast capability across region

The Navy's Fleet Information Warfare Command Pacific is working across military services and international partners to help coordinate effects in the region.

Jul 19, 2023 By Mark Pomerleau

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (Sept. 27, 2018) – Sailors stand watch in the Fleet Operations Center at the headquarters of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet (FCC/C10F). (U.S. Navy Photo by MC1 Samuel Souvannason/Released)

After prodding from Congress, Navy creates dedicated cyber work roles amid readiness concerns

The Navy created a "designator" and "rating" for officers and enlisted personnel solely dedicated to cyber.

Jun 28, 2023 By Mark Pomerleau

Lt. Cmdr. Douglas K. McKenzie, executive officer, USS New Mexico (SSN-779) gives Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, Commander, Naval Information Forces a tour of the submarine. USS New Mexico is one of two SSNs participating in the Information Warfare (IW) Pilot program, which assigns IW officers and Sailors about the SSNs to pilot close integration and employment of IW on these platforms. (U.S. Navy Photo by Robert Fluegel / Released)

Navy’s Project Overmatch could lead to changes in how the service trains its forces

NAVIFOR is co-chairing a cross-functional team looking at integration and training associated with Project Overmatch.

Mar 9, 2023 By Mark Pomerleau

PHILIPPINE SEA (January 21, 2023) Sonar Technician (Surface) Third Class Kiera Taylor interprets and logs sonar information in the Sonar Control Room aboard Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) during a submarine familiarization exercise with allied forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign William Stricklett)

Information warfare personnel could be permanent fixtures on submarines

Following a pilot effort, the Navy could be looking to add information warfare personnel to submarines permanently.

Feb 16, 2023 By Mark Pomerleau

A carrier strike group transits the Pacific Ocean Jan. 25, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Isaacs)

Here’s what the new information warfare command in the Pacific is doing

The Fleet Information Warfare Command Pacific seeks to beat back malign actors and deter undesirable activities.

Feb 16, 2023 By Mark Pomerleau

U.S. sailors assigned to Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command (NCDOC) man their stations at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., Aug. 4, 2010. (DOD photo)

Navy details its plan to build a new cyber-specific work role

The Navy is expected to carve out 200 to 300 billets for a new cyber designator role.

Feb 15, 2023 By Mark Pomerleau

Navy's Newest Combat Simulator Trains Its First Ships — Lt. Aaron Van Driessche, warfare tactics instructor at the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) Detachment San Diego pilots the U.S. Navy’s virtual combat curriculum with sailors aboard USS Paul Hamilton inside the newly launched portable simulator, the On Demand Trainer. (U.S. Navy / Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Millar)

Navy’s information warfare personnel need better virtual training environments

Sailors in the information warfare realm lack necessary virtual training environments to hone their skills on sensitive capabilities.

Feb 15, 2023 By Mark Pomerleau

Navy seeing increase in demand for information warfare experts

The Navy is looking to increase funding for information operations and creating information ops surge teams.

Oct 27, 2022 By Mark Pomerleau