Warfare Tactics Instructor

The Mine Warfare (MIW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) patch is one of four warfare area WTI patches worn by the top-talented Surface Warfare Officers who have qualified as warfighting experts in MIW, Amphibio More

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 9, 2017) - Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI), Lt. Lisa Malone of the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Canter (SMWDC), provides tactical training to officers aboard the aircraft c More

A U.S. Marine Corps corporal gives a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) 25 capabilities briefing to Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) candidates from Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center’s (SMWDC) Amph More

Little Creek VA (April 20, 2018) Commodore Daniel Blackburn, commander Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) Six presents the Honor Graduate plaque to Lt. Michael Pires from Mountainside, N.J., April 20, 2018 for his s More

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (May 14, 2018) Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) leads a discussion with Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) candidates on the firs More

SAN DIEGO (May 22, 2018) Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), far right, poses for a photo with Anti-Submarine Warfare/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfa More

180621-N-SZ865-0011 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 21, 2018) The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) transits the Atlantic Ocean ahead of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kea More

180622-N-WH681-0141 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 22, 2018) Lt. Kelly Denimarck, an Anti-Submarine/Surface Warfare - Warfare Tactics Instructor, conducts a Surface Warfare Advance Tactical Training (SWATT) briefing aboa More

180623-N-KW492-0021 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 23, 2018) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Alex Blanco scans for surface contacts during an integrated live-fire weapons exercise aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault More

180623-N-HG389-069 (ATLANTIC OCEAN) The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) hits a floating target with rounds from a Mk. 46 30mm gun weapon system. Kearsarge Amphibious Read More

180624-N-AO674-1010 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 24, 2018) The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) steams behind the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) dur More

180625-N-SE292-002 SAN DIEGO (June 25, 2018) Adm. John Aquilino, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet (left) and Adm. Christopher Grady, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Naval Forces Northern Command (right) More

180625-N-GG458-022 (ATLANTIC OCEAN) Lt. Emily Frost, an Anti-Submarine Warfare/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor from Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) briefs the More

180625-N-MC499-0049 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 25, 2018) Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 3rd Class Alexander Paulson operates a winch to extend the fiber optic towing cable of the SLQ-25A NIXIE aboard the Wasp-cl More

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (July 23, 2018) Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) leads a discussion with Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) candidates on the fir More

180726-N-IA905-1011 SAN DIEGO (July 26, 2018) Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), briefs the Wardroom of littoral combat ship USS Independence (LCS 2 More

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 18, 2018) Lt. Matt Clark, center, and Lt. Caleb Bekemeier, right, Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTI) from Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) sit for an interview with b More

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 20, 2018) Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson Jr., commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, left, shakes hands with Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center ( More

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 22, 2018) Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, right, listens in during a brief by Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) durin More

JOINT EXPEDITIONARY BASE LITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY, VA (Aug. 24, 2018) Rear Adm. Erik Ross, President, Board of Inspection and Survey, left, shakes hands with the Lt. Cmdr. Ryan McBride, Honor Graduate for Naval More

Naval Amphibious Base Coronado (Aug. 30, 2018) Newly-promoted Cmdr. Jake Catalogna from Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), left, reaffirms his oath to support and defend the Constitu More

Lt. Jason Thill, Lt. Caleb Bekemeier, and Lt. Cmdr. Seth Powell – Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) from Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) (left to right), meet with Blue Angels’ sp More

Lt. Kendra Cypher, left, an Amphibious Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) assigned to Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), cuts a cake with Lauren Phinney on KUSI’s Good Morning San Dieg More

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 30, 2018) Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) speaks with members of Surface Warfare Officer Schools Command detachment San Diego's B More

The guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) departs Naval Station Norfolk. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) cruiser-destroyer (CRUDES) units are completing the first East Coast CRU More

The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) cruiser-destroyer (CRUDES) units are completing the first East Coast CRUD More

181104-N-XT039-1051 VACAPES (Nov. 4, 2018) Deck department Sailors assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), utilize a rigid hull inflatable boat to conduct a passenger transfer (PAXFER) wi More

Rear Adm. Edward Cashman, special assistant to Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, left, addressees graduates of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center's (SMWDC) Integrated Air and Missile Defe More

181117-N-RJ834-0102 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 17, 2018) Boatswain’s Mate 2nd class John Monroe secures fire boundaries during a damage control drill on board the guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66). USS A More

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (Nov. 30, 2018) Rear Adm. Brad Skillman, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, poses for a group photo with Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructor course graduates onb More

From left, Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), presents Lt. Jeremy Blanchette with the Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC) Warf More

From the right, Cmdr. Steven McDowell, deputy director for Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center’s (SMWDC) Sea Combat Division, presents the Anti-Submarine Warfare / Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Wa More

Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) speaks with graduates of the Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) program during the inaugural More

Portrait of LCDR Daniel O'Neill

Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), speaks to the Instructors and Tactics Course (ITC) class 19010 prior to their graduation. ITC is the initial cours More

Lt. Matt Clark, an Anti-Submarine/Surface (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) assigned to Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) responds to a question from retired Vice Adm. Peter More

Rear Adm. James W. Kilby, director, Warfare Integration for the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (center) and Rear Adm. John Wade, commander of Carrier Strike Group Twelve (center right), speak with the More

From left, Rear Adm. Jeffrey Scheidt, commander, Naval Information Warfighting Development Center (NIWDC), presents Lt. Aaron Frunzi, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kennon Reine, Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Sen More

SAN DIEGO (Apr. 7, 2019) Lt. Cmdr. Rich Ray, right, an Anti-Submarine/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor assigned to Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) sits for an i More

Chief Quartermaster Eric Waters, a navigator assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 provides a brief on the capabilities and limitations of a landing craft air cushion (LCAC) to Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare More

JOINT EXPEDITIONARY BASE LITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY, VA (Aug. 23, 2019) Rear Adm. Erik Ross, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) Two, left, shakes hands with Lt. Veronica Camiolo, Honor Graduate for Naval More

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 23, 2019) Graduates of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center’s (SMWDC’s) Anti-Submarine Warfare / Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) course pose for a pho More

Joint Staff Leader Welcomes Navy’s Newest Integrated Air & Missile Defense Top Tacticians to the Fleet

Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) and Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) hosted advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer (ASWO) students for hands-on training inside of CSCS’s C More

Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) visited USS San Jacinto (CG 56) September 19, 2019, where he discussed SMWDC’s Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) More

Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), presents the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal to LCDR Jeremy Blanchette, an Information Warfare (IW) W More

Lt. Taylor Reck, receives the Top Tactician award from Rear Adm. (retired) Jesse Wilson, former commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, during a graduation ceremony for the newest Integrated Air an More

Lt. Tyler Westover, receives the Honor Graduate award from Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), during a graduation ceremony for the newest Anti More

Cmdr. James Hoey, an Anti-Submarine Warfare/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI), became the first ASW/SUW WTI to assume command of a warship December 6, 2019.

Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) alumni gathered together in Dahlgren, Va., home of the IAMD WTI program, and conducted the fourth annual WTI Re-Blue event 2-6 March 20 More

Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), presents a certificate to Lt. Cmdr. Michelle Smith for being selected as the Top Tactician (for displaying More

Newest Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) from WTI Class 20010, graduated May 21, 2020 at Aegis Training and Readiness Center in Dahlgren, Va. The graduates are: Lt. Cm More

Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) Headquarters staff pose for a group photo while celebrating SMWDC's fifth anniversary. From left to right: Lt. Eugenia Rhone, Lt. Matthew Heimer, Cm More

200716-N-N0777-1002 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 16, 2020) The guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) launches a Standard Missile-2 during a training exercise in the Atlantic Ocean. Philippine Sea is part of More

Lt. Kelly Murphy (left) receives her Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) patch from Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), d More

Naval Information Warfare Development Center’s 20-2 Class of Warfare Tactics Instructors. (U.S. Navy graphic by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jessica Fisher)

SAN DIEGO, CA. (Oct. 27, 2020) Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) Sea Combat Division (SCD) staff pose for a group photo with the 11 newest Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) followin More

The seven newest Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) completed Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC’s) AMW WTI course of instruction and graduated onboard Joint E More

PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 13, 2021) Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center’s (SMWDC’s) Lt. Cmdr. Chris Rakoski, an Anti-Submarine Warfare/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI), fro More

Lt. Mike Pires, seated, a Surface Warfare Officer and Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) candidate assigned to Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center’s (SMWDC) Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Division, re More

180621-N-SZ865-0020 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 21, 2018) The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) transits the Atlantic Ocean ahead of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kea More

180622-N-WH681-0144 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 22, 2018) Lt. Kelly Denimarck an Anti-Submarine/Surface Warfare - Warfare Tactics Instructor, conducts a Surface Warfare Advance Tactical Training (SWATT) briefing aboar More

180623-N-HG389-103 (ATLANTIC OCEAN) The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) fires a Mk. 46 30mm gun weapon system and steams in formation ahead of the Wasp-class amphibious a More

180623-N-WH681-0036 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 23, 2018) The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) transits ahead of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) duri More

180624-N-AO674-1009 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 24, 2018) The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) steams behind the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) duri More

180625-N-GG458-025 (ATLANTIC OCEAN) Lt. Emily Frost, an Anti-Submarine Warfare/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor from Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) briefs the More

180625-N-MC499-0074 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 25, 2018) Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 2nd Class Kelsey Bronkema, left, and Cryptologic Technician (Collection) 3rd Class Alexander Paulson let out the fiber opti More

180726-N-IA915-1027 SAN DIEGO (July 26, 2018) Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), speaks with Cmdr. Emily Cathey, the littoral combat ship USS Indepen More

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 20, 2018) Rear Adm. Jesse A. Wilson Jr., commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic participates in a brieifing at Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) during a visit to SM More

SAN DIEGO (Aug. 22, 2018) Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, left, poses for a photograph with Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) during More

JOINT EXPEDITIONARY BASE LITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY, VA (Aug. 24, 2018) Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 18020 graduates pose for a photo with Rear Adm. Erik Ross, President, Board More

Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) Rear Adm. Dave Welch addresses the newly promoted chiefs during the SMWDC, Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare, and Mine Warfare Training Comman More

The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) departs Naval Station Norfolk. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) cruiser-destroyer (CRUDES) units are completing the first East Coast CRUD More

Master at Arms First Class Dominic Outlaw takes a line of bearing to a contact on the bridge of the guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94). USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) cruiser-d More

181104-N-XT039-1036 VACAPES (Nov. 4, 2018) Deck department Sailors assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), transit a rigid hull inflatable boat to conduct a passenger transfer (PAXFER) wi More

Rear Adm. Edward Cashman, special assistant to Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, left, poses for a photograph with Lt. Cmdr. Bethany Burdick, honor graduate of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development More

181117-N-RJ834-0096 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Nov. 17, 2018) Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical) Firemen Hyundo Kim looks at instructions during a damage control drill on board the guided-missile destroyer USS Gon More

Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander of the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), speaks with Anti-Submarine Warfare/ Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course studen More

Rear Adm. Dave Welch, commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), speaks to the Instructors and Tactics Course (ITC) class 19010 prior to their graduation. ITC is the initial cours More

Tactical experts and instructors from the Navy’s Warfighting Development Centers (WDC) listen to questions from retired Vice Adm. Peter H. Daly during a cross domain warfighting panel discussion about tactical More

SAN DIEGO (Apr. 7, 2019) Lt. Cmdr. Rich Ray, right, an Anti-Submarine/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor assigned to Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) sits for an i More

A landing craft air cushion (LCAC) from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 4 makes land fall onboard Joint Expeditionary Little Creek-Fort Story during a series of briefings and hands-on training events for Warfare Tacti More

JOINT EXPEDITIONARY BASE LITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY, VA (Aug. 23, 2019) Graduates of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center’s (SMWDC’s) Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) cour More

Joint Staff Leader Welcomes Navy’s Newest Integrated Air & Missile Defense Top Tacticians to the Fleet

Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander, Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, addresses Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) candidates during his visit to AMW Division onboard Joi More

Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) and Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) hosted advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer (ASWO) students for hands-on training inside of CSCS’s C More

Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), presented the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal to LCDR Jeremy Blanchette, an Information Warfare (IW) More

Lt. Erich Buss, an Anti-Submarine Warfare/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) is assigned to Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) Sea Combat Division.

Lt. Rod Hanks, receives the Arleigh Burke and Top Tactician awards from Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), during a graduation ceremony for th More

Lt. Cmdr. Chris Stolle, receives the Arleigh Burke award from Rear Adm. (retired) Jesse Wilson, former commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, during a graduation ceremony for the newest Integrated More

VIRGINA BEACH, VA (Nov. 27, 2019) – Rear Adm. Roy Kitchener, commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic, takes a group photo after the Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) graduation. The se More

At center and far left (respectively), Rear Admiral Scott Robertson, commander Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), and Capt. Christopher Merwin, director of Naval Surface and Mine War More

Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), presents certificates to Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Grusich for being selected as the Honor Graduate (for having the More

Chief Intelligence Specialist William Buller video records pre-aim calibration (PAC) fire maintenance on MK-45 MOD 4 5-inch 62 caliber lightweight gun aboard USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81). Churchill is a gu More

Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Pavlik receives his Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) patch from Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, commander of Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), d More

The seven newest Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Warfare Tactics Instructors (WTIs) completed Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC’s) AMW WTI course of instruction and graduated onboard Joint E More

180623-N-HG389-142 (ATLANTIC OCEAN) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) steams in formation behind the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24). Kearsarge Amphibious Ready More

180623-N-KW492-0112 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 23, 2018) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Alex Blanco fires a .50-caliber machine gun during an integrated live-fire weapons exercise aboard the Wasp-class amphibious ass More

180624-N-AO674-1049 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 24, 2018) Sailors aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) perform pre-flight checks on a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter. The Kearsarge Amphibious More

180624-N-KW492-0630 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 24, 2018) Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Donald Crispin observes from a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter as simulated fast attack craft approach the Wasp-class amphibi More