The Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy is responsible for providing the oceanographic support for the Navy operations. The Oceanographer of the Navy, RADM Geoffrey Chesbrough, stated that his two priorities for tactical oceanography are: 1) to upgrade the computer communications equipment needed to process and disseminate the large quantity of data required to provide timely environmental information to fleet operators; and 2) to maintain an effective data collection program from ships, aircraft, and satellites. It was also noted that a balance between deep and shallow water oceanography for Limited Intensity Conflict (LIC)/Contingency And Limited Objective Warfare (CALOW), should be based on the needs of each warfare area. Oceanographic products and services must be made available for warfare training, both ashore and at sea. Environmental prediction systems are critical to the at-sea activities. Operation Desert Storm demonstrated the impact of weather conditions on weapons system performance and on the selection of weapon load and type. These systems are supported by data from the Navy's primary oceanographic centers and are also capable of independent operation.

The next phase of the symposium, following the Plenary, focused on a review of actual or potential warfare scenarios in coastal regions. These reviews were followed by concurrent discussion sessions on four topics: Anti-Submarine Warfare, Amphibious/Strike Warfare, Mine Warfare, and Special Operations. Each discussion centered on the dynamics and evolution of tactics and strategies, along with recent insights learned from Operation Desert Storm.

The “stealth environment” provided by the ocean often limits our ability to detect a coastal submarine or mine threat. Another key problem common to all four warfare areas is our limited ability to integrate and communicate easily used environmental data products to personnel in the field.

The final phase of the symposium focused on better definition of the research needed to support coastal naval warfare activities described earlier. Five S&T discussion groups were formed around the following subjects: acoustics and geology and geodesy/sediments/transport, nonacoustical detection (biology/optics/chemistry), physical oceanography, coastal meteorology, and electromagnetic detection. The findings of these groups, presented at a plenary session at the conclusion of the symposium, are included in the S&T discussion group section of this report.