Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Stations (NCTAMSs)

Advises the Director, Naval Space and Warfare Command, of validated communications requirements that may demand development or modification of satellite communications systems; Formulates policy on, and exercises authoritative control over, the Navy Communications Security Material System (CMS), and reviews or initiates action in cases of loss or compromise of CMS material; Serves as Department of the Navy (DON) manager of leased portions of Navy dedicated and common-user information transmission systems; Manages the Navy and Marine Corps Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) and coordinates Navy participation in amateur radio matters; Establishes, implements, and maintains the Fleet Operational Telecommunications Program; Manages International Maritime Satellite (INMARSAT) communications ground interfaces to naval communications for the DON and handles any other commercial telecommunications authorized by law or treaty; Operates and maintains the NCTSs, NARDACs, and assigned elements of the Defense Communications System (DCS); Serves as technical advisor to CNO for communications/enlisted ratings (RM, ET, and assists in career development and training for these ratings; and Serves as central design agency for communications in the DON, performs life-cycle management on Navy Standard Communications Software components. NAVAL COMPUTER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AREA MASTER STATIONS (NCTAMSs) As we mentioned earlier, there have been changes in the claimancy of NAVCOMTELCOM. As a result, each of the former NAVCAMS has been redesignated as a NCTAMS, and has merged with a NARDAC. The four NCTAMSs are NCTAMS EASTPAC, Honolulu, Hawaii; NCTAMS LANT, Norfolk, Virginia; NCTAMS WESTPAC, Guam; and NCTAMS MED, Naples, Italy. The world is divided into four Naval Communications Areas (NAVCOMMAREAs): Western Pacific (WESTPAC), Eastern Pacific (EASTPAC), Atlantic (LANT), and Mediterranean (MED) (figure 2-l). All communications activities within any of these geographical areas are organized to operate under the operational control of a NCTAMS. These master stations are the major sites in a COMMAREA and are the primary keying stations for that area. They are the entry points for Navy Tactical Satellite Systems and also operate and maintain one or more Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) terminals. The NCTAMSs have, as part of their organization, a fleet telecommunications operations center (FTOC). This is the focal Point for fleet communications support. To support the operating forces of each fleet commander in chief (FLTCINC), the authority to exercise operational direction over all NAVTELCOMs is delegated on an area basis to the commanding offiers of the master stations. Operational direction is decentralized down to the commanding officers of the NCTAMSs. These commanding officers report to and are immediately responsible to the FLTCINC. COMNAVCOMTELCOM, however, exercises overall operational direction to assure integration of the worldwide system, taking into consideration the requirements and priorities of other FLTCINCs and/or higher authority. You should refer to the appropriate Fleet Operational Telecommunications Program (FOTP) manual for futher information. Within the various NAVCOMMAREAs are alternate NCTAMSs. They coordinate control of communications under the direction of the primary NCTAMSs. NAVAL COMPUTER AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS STATION A Naval Computer and telecommunications Station (NAVCOMTELSTA) is a communications station with the primary responsibility for communications in a large specific area. This responsibility includes all communications facilities and equipment required to provide essential fleet support and fixed communications services. For example, NAVCOMTELSTA, Diego Garcia, serves a large geographical area of the Pacific and Indian oceans. It also includes facilities and equipments necessary to interface with all other NAVCOMTELSTAs or 2-4