Accomplishing the Mission

NAVCENT Objectives

• Provide persistent full-spectrum effects as directed by CENTCOM

• Support and defend US, coalition and partner interests in the maritime environment

• Defeat terrorist actions in the maritime environment

• Diminish the influence of military posturing by disruptive countries

• Maintain and enhance warfighting proficiency for major combat operations of US Navy, joint and coalition forces

• Forge and improve partnerships with regional naval forces and other maritime entities

• Deter and disrupt proliferation, transport and delivery of weapons of mass destruction/effects

• Sea Lanes of Communication

  Coalition maritime forces operate under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.

  Engagement

  Provides a mechanism to create a broad-based maritime coalition actively engaged in countering the terrorist threat both at sea and ashore. Almost all of our coalition partners contribute maritime forces such as ships, boarding teams, maritime patrol aircraft, intelligence analysts, and staff augmentees, to support ongoing operations. Local countries have a vested interest in interoperability, intelligence sharing, and assistance with deterrence against international terrorist organizations (ITOs) that pose a threat to key infrastructure.

  Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS)

  Pressurizes the entire maritime environment, playing a significant role in shaping the environment and setting the conditions for other forces to actively and directly engage ITOs. Intercept vessels that could support ITOs by transferring personnel, drugs, weapons, etc. Intended to detect, deter, and deny ITOs the use of the maritime environment.

  Protection of Key Infrastructure Nodes

  In the North Arabian Gulf, multinational forces work directly with Iraqi maritime forces to prevent attacks against oil terminals that provide a source of Iraq's revenue. Throughout the region, U.S. maritime forces provide assistance with training and intelligence sharing to its allies for the protection of key infrastructure nodes in the region. These key infrastructures form the foundation for much of the region's economic growth, stability and prosperity and can significantly impact upon the global economy.

  Deter and Disrupt Piracy

  Coalition maritime forces answer calls for assistance against pirates in addition to looking for evidence of piracy during routine boardings. Repression of piracy, which is an historical Navy mission, is still central today.

  Assist Mariners in Distress

  Coalition forces have a longstanding tradition of helping mariners in distress, providing medical assistance, engineering assistance, and search and rescue.

  Humanitarian Assistance

  Coalition maritime forces were called on to support tsunami relief efforts both within the region and outside after a catastrophic tsunami struck parts of Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, India, Seychelles, and Somalia Dec. 26, 2004. Coalition maritime assets were flexible enough to continue the maritime operation mission while simultaneously equipped to help deliver relief supplies, provide medical support, and assist with clean up efforts.

  Combat Operations

  Maritime forces maintain the capability to project power ashore, to conduct sustained combat operations in support of coalition land commanders, provide air support to multinational forces on the ground as well as conduct long range strikes with aircraft and Tomahawk Land Attack cruise Missiles against enemy targets.