MAY 13, 2015, STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. (NNS) – The threat of rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of Sailors from the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command as they shared their love of science, technology and the Navy with visitors to Fleet Week New Orleans on April 25.
Every day these Sailors provide environmental information that helps Naval and Joint forces operate more safely and effectively and make better decisions faster than the adversary.
“I joined the Navy in order to pay for college and give me the experience that I need in order to become a responsible adult,” said Aerographer’s Mate 3rd Class Gianna Conroy, of Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center’s UUV platoon 2. “I became an aerographer’s mate (AG) because I have a strong interest in science.”
Personnel from Fleet Survey Team (FLTSURVTEAM) and NAVOCEANMIWCEN at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. staffed displays of small boats, expeditionary survey vehicles (ESVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) along the Mississippi Riverfront for the crowd that turned out to see the visiting ships berthed nearby.
“I enjoyed hearing children tell their parents they wanted to grow up to be Sailors just like me and my shipmates,” said Aerographer’s Mate Apprentice Alecx Morgan, a data fusion cell technician with NAVOCEANMIWCEN.
NAVOCEANMIWCEN uses the oceanography disciplines to provide battlespace awareness for mine warfare forces. Their personnel operate UUVs, analyze sonar data, and examine sea-bottom sonar imagery to find mines.
FLTSURVTEAM is a rapid response team for quick-turn shallow water surveys. The hydrographic survey vessels conduct surveys to produce on-scene field charts and update nautical charts. ESVs — jet skis equipped with side-scan sonar devices — search for navigational hazards. They are frequently brought in after natural disasters to survey affected ports allowing supply or emergency ships to get into affected ports safely.
“We deploy with small, highly specialized teams all over the world to ensure safety of navigation to the fleet. I feel lucky to be part of one of the most fun and unique commands in the Navy,” said Chief Aerographer’s Mate (IDW/AW) Paul J. Stimson of the FLTSURVTEAM.
FLTSURVTEAM and NAVOCEANMIWCEN are among six naval meteorology and oceanography activities located at Stennis Space Center (SSC) Mississippi, about 50 miles from New Orleans. They report operationally to Commander Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command/CTG 80.7 also located at SSC.