Deck Officer

INFORMATION SHEET

AIRCRAFT CARRIER ORGANIZATION

Information Sheet 1.23

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the standard organization and chain of command aboard an aircraft carrier as opposed to other platforms in the United States Navy. As a division officer you must immediately familiarize yourself with the chain of command, standard operating procedures, and daily routines for conducting business and interacting with superiors and subordinates in order to get the job done.

REFERENCES

(a) OPNAVINST 3130.6

(b) COMNAVAIRLANTINST/PACINST 3500.20

(d) NAVPERS 15839H

INFORMATION

A. DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATIONAL LAYOUT

NOTE: The following organizational layouts are, to a degree, tailored to best meet the operational requirements and maximize efficiency of an individual unit.

1. Figure 1.23-1 shows the most common types of departmental configurations. Deviation from these layouts may occur as necessary, but only the CNO will authorize additional departments.

2. Aircraft carriers (as well as surface combatants with complex, integrated combats systems suites) often have a combat systems department in lieu of a weapons department. In ships only assigned a helicopter detachment, an air department exists when the detachment is embarked. The detachment officer in charge is the department head.

Carriers, LHDs, and LHAs are structured with permanent air departments. In addition, on these platforms there exists a permanent safety department and aircraft intermediate maintenance department.

3. Given the daunting task of personnel administration and management onboard a carrier , Figure 1.23-1 shows the additional departments required. Specifically:
    1. A medical department if a medical officer is aboard
    2. A dental department if a dental officer is aboard
    3. A legal department if a judge advocate is assigned
    4. A chaplain department if a chaplain is permanently assigned
    5. A maintenance management department
  1. An aviation unit’s organization is based on primary billets authorized by the CNO. Aircraft squadrons are organized into separate departments and divisions under the squadron commanding officer. The squadron commanding officer administers the activities of the departments through the squadron executive officer. Department heads may be assigned assistants to carry out all departmental duties. Unless directed otherwise, the squadron commanding officer directs the specific assignments of officers.

Figure 1.23-2 Typical Squadron Organizations

Squadron Type

Departments
 

Operations

Admin

Maintenance

Safety

Training

Other

VFA

X

X

X

X

X

  

VFA(FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

  

VA(M)

X

X

X

X

    

VA(M) (FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

  

VAW

X

X

X

X

    

VAW(FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

  

VAQ

X

X

X

X

  

EW

VAQ(FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

EW

VFC

X

X

X

X

    

VF

X

X

X

X

    

VF(FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

  

VP

X

X

X

X

X

  

VP(FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

  

VQ

X

X

X

X

X

EW, INTEL

VR

X

X

X

X

X

  

VRC

X

X

X

X

X

  

VS

X

X

X

X

    

VS(FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

  

VT

 		 

X

X

X

X

  

VXE

X

X

X

X

    

VXN

X

X

X

X

    

HCS

X

X

X

X

    

HM

X

X

X

X

    

HM(FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

  

HC

X

X

X

X

X

  

HC(FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

  

HS

X

X

X

X

    

HS(FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

  

HSL

X

X

X

X

    

HSL(FRS)

X

X

X

X

X

  

HT

 		 

X

X

X

X

  

VPU

X

X

X

X

X

  

VX

X

X

X

X

    

5. The carrier commanding officer exercises the sole authority to convene courts-martial on all personnel embarked. The authority of an air wing commander and the commanding officers of squadrons to impose nonjudicial punishment on their respective personnel continues, unless this authority is assumed by the carrier commanding officer. Commanding officers of squadrons retain the authority to initiate administrative discharge proceedings against their personnel.
  1. Departments of aircraft squadrons are divided into divisions and branches which are organized by the squadron commanding officer according to the needs and responsibilities of that particular type of squadron.
  2. When an individual unit establishes a division not in accordance with figure 1.23-1, it must be approved by the type commander.
  3. Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRV) and deep submergence systems with crews regularly embarked will have a designated officer-in-charge who shall report to the Commanding Officer for readiness matters and to the Executive Officer for routine administration. On carriers without a deep submergence department, the officer in charge of the embarked detachment assumes the duties as deep submergence department head.
  4. Figure 1.23-2 displays the departmental composition of various aircraft squadrons. The type of aircraft squadron dictates the number and size of the individual departments.

 

B. ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS

  1. Aircraft carrier organization is so large that organizational charts are a necessity. All of the ship’s departments, divisions, positions, and the command and staff relationships of all personnel in the organization must be detailed in charts to eliminate misunderstanding and facilitate interdepartmental collaboration. There are two commonly used types of organizational charts.
    1. A structural chart is a simple representation of the line and staff relationships of officer and subordinate supervisory billets on board and outlines the relationships among the different components.
    2. A functional organizational chart represents the functions of the various segments of the command in addition to showing the interrelationships among all components. The primary advantage of the functional chart is to provide all personnel at the command with a baseline of resource knowledge and a concise picture of their position in the command. Functional charts are prepared and distributed to all personnel on the aircraft carrier. Smaller commands may have functional charts posted.

 

C. DIVISIONAL ORGANIZATION

  1. There may be as many as 120 divisions aboard a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. Certainly these divisions all have specific functions. They accomplish these while divided into sections, rotations, workcenters or all three.
  2. The aircraft carrier’s actual divisional composition is in accordance with Type Commander directives, and this is optimized into the most efficient battle organization. The additional divisions are a necessity for the thousands of personnel assigned. Smaller units, such as combatants, typically incorporate these additional divisions and their functions as "collateral duties" to primary duty tasked personnel.
  3. Figure 1.23-3 contrasts the difference from the organizational functional charts of a typical nuclear powered aircraft carrier and a typical Spruance class destroyer. Actual divisional functions, designations, and existence are dictated by the Type Commander (COMNAVAIRLANT/PAC, COMNAVSURFLANT/PAC, etc). A ship’s particular modifications/alterations and a ship’s overall schedule of Regular Overhauls (ROH) have a tremendous impact on the number of divisions in a department and their functions and responsibilities.

DIVISION (DD)

FUNCTION (DD)

DIVISION (CVN)

FUNCTION (CVN)

FIRST

DECK SEAMANSHIP

FIRST

DECK SEAMANSHIP, ANTISHIP MISSILE DEFENSE
 

BOAT OPS, MAINTENANCE

SECOND

DECK SEAMANSHIP, ANTISHIP MISSILE DEFENSE
 

PRESERVATION

THIRD

DECK SEAMANSHIP, ANTISHIP MISSILE DEFENSE
 

TOPSIDE EQUIP MAINT

BG

BOAT OPS, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR
 

RAS OPERATIONS, EQUIP MAINTENANCE

DSL

DIVING AND SALVAGE OPERATIONS
 

PAINT ISSUE

RAS

RAS OPERATIONS, EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
 

CLEANING GEAR ISSUE

    
 

ORG. CLOTHING

    
 

AVIATION FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

    
 

AVIATION OPERATIONS

    

Figure 1.23-3 Excerpts from Functional Organizational Charts

 

D. WATCHSTATION ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS

1. On the bridge of the typical aircraft carrier is something called the Tactical Operations Plot (TOP). Essentially it is a giant status board to post any and all information regarding the exercise at hand. This used to be called the CO-PLOT and is an extension of all relevant information provided from Combat Direction Center (CDC), with regard to safe navigation and collision avoidance. The plotters on the TOP conduct CPA’s on all vessels within 32 nautical miles. Outside the 32 NM perimeter is the responsibility of the DESRON (designated ships of the screen). Figure 1.23-4 is an example of the typical carrier bridge layout. The CO’s chair is on the starboard side (UNREP) and directly overlooks the flight deck.

2. Figure 1.23-5 is the standard aircraft carrier CDC layout. This layout changes slightly among the Nimitz class and from class to class. The bow of the carrier is at the bottom of the diagram. TFCC is Tactical Flag C2. TFCC and the USW module center are accessed through a common door. Detection and tracking (D&T) is the air search radar center. AIC is the Air Intercept Controller center. SURF is the surface tracking center which feeds information the TOP operators on the bridge. The size of CDC must be taken into account. The individual modules are not open watchstanding areas in the same space. They are detached watchcenters, with bulkheads and doors, all disseminating pertinent information to the appropriate control center(s).
    1. Detection and tracking (D & T): The SPS-48 is a 3 dimensional air search radar and provides the primary radar data. The SPS 49 (2 dimensional) is used for confirmation or tracking at great ranges or in a heavy EW environment. Also in D & T are the SPS 67 operator and various self defense radar director operators. SPS 67 is preferred for low flyers and tracks difficult to hold.
    1. Electronic Warfare module: The SLQ-32(V)4 provides 360 degrees coverage and is the standard. It is the most rapid and user friendly source of data given a well integrated team. The WRL-1 is a more accurate but time consuming system often used to pull out all the stops in identifying a track. Supplot (a function of SSES information) is a data system the function of which is to determine if a track is either preparing to fire or just has fired.
    2. The TAS radar system, designed for finding anti-ship cruise missiles, is fast, automated, and often holds tracks when no other sensor can. Although it has some unique limitations, it is the acquisition system of choice for the Nato Sea Sparrow Missile System (NSSMS).
    3. The carrier’s own ability to defend itself, other than its own 80+ aircraft, depends primarily on the quick reaction NSSMS (2-3 eight cell launchers) and 3-4 independent close in weapon system mounts, CIWS. These self-defense systems may be controlled from the remote control panels (RCPs). These panels are located dead center in CDC as seen in figure 1.23-5.

3. The role of the CDC Officer changes depending upon the carrier’s watch condition. For the typical routine steaming condition, the CDC Officer is the most senior supervisor in CDC. The TAO is a more senior officer; however, the CDC officer runs CDC. In the case of sea and anchor detail, the CDC Officer is on the bridge with the piloting officer navigating by radar and the shipping officer providing all TOP services. The TAO/OOD in this condition is described as cooperative. The TOP module works directly with the OOD, yet actually works for the TAO.

 

E. AIR OPERATIONS

  1. The reason aircraft carriers exist is for the launch and recovery of aircraft (power projection). This is accomplished through a carefully scheduled plan worked out among several warfare commanders, but primarily AW and AR.
  2. The aircraft carrier Commanding Officer is AR, the Air Resource Element Coordinator (AREC). AR always has the option to say "no" to any warfare commander’s request for services if an alert launch will impede the planned and pending regular launch schedule, or if other conditions warrant (weather, fuel, etc.). When an alert launch is pending, the announcement is immediately made via the 1MC circuit to get the catapult crews, pilots, and support personnel moving. Regardless, whether in an alert status or not, the number one priority is the safe launch and recovery of aircraft.

3. There are five basic flight operations patterns which must be recognized in order to detect any possible deviations from them (emergency). Typical operations dictate that all of the different patterns will be in effect about 70% of the time. The two tight circles are usually occupied by helicopters, with the larger circle overlapping them used for carrier onboard delivery. The oval to the side will be used by a LAMPS helicopter provided from another platform and will normally fly during off cycle hours from the carrier’s schedule.

 

4. The rectangular pattern is the most common and represents the standard daytime downwind pattern. The four arrows off the bow represent take-off vectors or "departure radials" which differ depending upon the type of aircraft launched. Finally, the large oval near the top is the recovery tanker pattern. As with any ship conducting flight operations, the carriers adjusts heading for optimal winds. This is typically accomplished at 22 knots for launch and 25 knots for recovery.

5. Aircraft carriers carry out all the functions of other ships but everything is on a larger scale. In addition, while all other units in the formation exist in support of carrier operations, the aircraft carrier’s sole function is the safe launch and recovery of aircraft. Obviously, the organizational structure must be changed to compensate for the thousands of additional personnel required to accomplish these tasks.