View from the Labs

Deployed... Now What? By CAPT George Galdorisi, USN (Ret.)

This issue of Rotor Review has as its theme, “Deployed... Now What?” The subtitle suggests that we address those things that are missed before a deployment. I believe that this is a great pick and a subject that will likely elicit a number of terrific articles from across the rotary wing community.

This subject is one I look at from both sides: from having done 30 years of active duty with my share of deployments, and now working in the shore side of the Navy, specifically at the Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific, the Navy’s C4ISR Lab. We exist for one reason, to support the Fleet: the ships, aircraft, submarines and Sailors who are deployed on them.

This will be a fairly short column because I have just one message – all shore organizations, not just mine, have been created to offer what they provide – whether it is information, maintenance, parts, connectivity, food, or whatever, to ships at sea. Some of this is pretty straightforward, but some less so.

When it comes to parts, food etc. – all that “stuff” that gets sent over from supply ships – we have pretty well-honed tactics, techniques and procedures to get what we want, and for the most part, the system seems to work. However, when it is something less tangible: non-organic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for our operating area, maintenance information delivered remotely, as well as a host of other things that we often don’t think about until we need it, the system struggles. But it doesn’t have to if we established lines of communication with these organizations early.

But if we don’t, when we need help it is too late. We either aren’t aware of what organization is capable of providing, or if we do, we don’t know the right POC. In the overwhelming number of cases, although the right folks are eager to help, they just feel like the Maytag repairman who is never called. None of this was something I did a great job of during most of my career. Then, for my last tour, I was chief of staff for a carrier strike group. We did several pumps to WESTPAC and the Gulf. Prior to each deployment, our Flag Officer and a group of us made a trip to the Washington, D.C. area where our intelligence officer walked us through most of the three-letter-agencies (CIA, DIA, NGA etc.) which were sources that might provide avenues of information and support. and where the on-ramp was for that support. This was eye-opening and tremendously beneficial during two combat tours to the Gulf where we shot ordnance at bad people.

The shore infrastructure is your lifeline to a successful deployment. Check in with them before you roll out of the chocks or single up your lines. You may well be amazed at what they can do to make your deployment more successful. And besides helping you, you will help them. No one really wants to be the Maytag repairman.

Editor's Note: The Lonely Maytag Repairman. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZHsxPEAUOI)

NHA Photo Contest Honorable Mention "Sunset and Sierra"