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Information Systems Technician Training Series, Module 1 - Administration and Security | Next
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Stations (NCTAMSs) |
The NTS provides electrical and optical
communications from the commander in chief and
naval commanders down to all naval forces under its
command. You should remember that the NTS is used
primarily to exercise command and control over the
naval operating forces; not the shore establishment.
Most shore establishments are served through the
Defense Communications System (DCS). Naturally,
there are overlapping portions of each system where
necessary.
Operational direction and management control of
the assigned elements of the NTS are the responsibility
of the Commander, Naval Computer and
Telecommunications Command (COMNAVCOM-
TELCOM).
In naval communications, COMNAVCOM-
TELCOM determines the responsibilities of each of the
various commanders, whether a fleet commander or the
commanding officer of a ship. For example, direction
and control of all naval fleet broadcasts, ship shore,
air-ground, and other direct fleet-support
telecommunications are assigned to the fleet
commanders in chief. That is to say, all Pacific Fleet
naval broadcasts are under the operational direction and
control of the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet
(CINCPACFLT). The same applies to Atlantic Fleet
navak broadcasts. These broadcasts are under the
operational direction and control of the Commander in
Chief, Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT).
Fleet commanders in chief are responsible for the
adequacy of communications to satisfy the needs of
their respective fleets. They, in turn, assign broad
communications responsibilities in the form of fleet
operation orders (OPORDs). OPORDs are to be
complied with at every level down through individual
commanding officers of operating ships.
The commanding officers use only those portions
of the fleet commander’s communications OPORD that
affect them. In this simple, yet direct, manner, the NTS
is administered at every operational level in the fleet,
according to that ship’s mission and communication
needs. We will talk more about OPORDs later in this
chapter.
The Naval Telecommunications Command is
composed of the following elements:
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
Commander, Naval Computer and Telecom-
munications Command (COMNAVCOMTEL-
COM);
Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area
Master Stations (NCTAMSs);
Naval Computer and Telecommunications
Stations (NAVCOMTELSTAs, sometimes
referred to as NCTSs);
Naval Communications Detachments
(NAVCOMTEL DETs, also abbreviated
NCTDs);
Naval Data Automation Commands (NAV-
DACs);
Naval Security Group Departments (NAV-
SECGRUDEPTs) of NAVCOMTELSTAs; and
Navy-Marine Corps Military Affiliate Radio
System (MARS).
COMMANDER, NAVAL COMPUTER
AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
COMMAND
With the merging of Automated Information
Systems (AIS) and telecommunications, the mission
and responsibilities of COMNAVCONTELCOM have
greatly increased. You will see COMNAVCOM-
TELCOM continue to change and grow as
telecommunications technology advances into the 21st
century.
There have already been changes in the makeup of
the COMNAVCOMTELCOM claimancy as
communications stations have merged with Naval
Regional Data Automated Centers (NARDACs).
Those communications stations that do not merge with
an AIS activity will become Naval Computer and
Telecommunications Stations (NCTSs) or Naval
Computer and Telecommunications Detachments
(NCTDs).
Although not all-inclusive, COMNAVCOMTEL-
COM’s responsibilities include the following:
l Integrates and consolidates Navy common-user
ashore communications and information
resources (IR) (including personnel) into the
NAVCOMTELCOM claimancy, and
implements Navy IR management policy within
the claimancy;
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