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oceanography program. 



In the same hearing, my boss , Rear Admiral Gaffhey also testified as to 

 national oceanographic needs, partnerships, and the role of Naval 

 oceanognq)hy. He pointed out that while "we are not specifically funded to 

 help other non-Defense agencies to complete their ocean related functions, ... 

 we understand that we own and operate certain capabilities that can help 

 others — and we look for opportunities to make them available when it does 

 not interfere with our primary mission or adversely impact our firumcial or 

 security position. Likewise, we will embrace proposals from other entities 

 who wish to leverage their investments by partnering with us." Rear Admiral 

 Gaffhey further stated his commitment to "maintain a state-of-the-art 

 computational capability to archive and analyze data and predict ocean and 

 atmospheric conditions for the Department of Defense. " 



Deriving strong support from the Navy's science and technology 

 program. Fleet Numerical is at the forefront of the Navy's operational 

 meteorological and oceanographic capabilities. Specifically, Fleet Numerical's 

 mission is to provide computer-generated descriptions of the air-ocean 

 environment to the operating forces, anywhere, anytime. What do we mean 

 by that? We are the U.S. military's principal processing center for computer- 

 generated atmospheric and oceanic analyses and forecasts. As American and 

 allied forces defend freedom, provide peacekeeping, deter aggression, and 

 provide humanitarian relief across the globe from Haiti... Bosnia... Korea... 

 Rwanda... Somalia... the Persian Gulf... Iraq... everywhere, the air-ocean 

 environment is a factor. Overcast skies and storms in Bosnia which abort 

 flights from aircraft carriers and land bases while bogging down ground 



