OCT01-04:  COMNAVSURFLANT Reviews Navy's Leading Independent Assessment Agent
By Troy Clarke, Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona Public Affairs

NORCO, Calif. - Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT) completed his first visit to the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) facility Sept. 29.

The tour and meetings with NSWC Corona leadership enabled COMNAVSURFLANT to get a first hand look at the Navy's leading independent assessment agent.

"This visit gives me a deeper understanding of Corona's assets and capabilities so I can leverage and maximize the use of the diverse capability here as I address readiness issues for the Fleet," said Rear Adm. Kevin Quinn, COMNAVSURFLANT.  "As the chief readiness officer of the Surface Warfare Enterprise (SWE), making sure our warships are ready for tasking - anytime, anywhere - is very important to me.  Warfighting readiness is key to our execution of the Maritime Strategy."

NSWC Corona's commanding officer and senior leadership briefed Quinn on the command's independent assessment mission, and how it enables readiness support to the Navy and other armed forces.  The military and civilian leaders later toured Corona's premiere national laboratories which the warfare center uses to execute its mission.

"We're delighted to have Admiral Quinn here to learn first-hand about our unique capabilities, and what we provide for the Fleet," said NSWC Corona commanding officer Capt. Jay Kadowaki.  "We play a key role in Fleet readiness and have developed a number of innovative and cost-saving programs, like MRDB (Material Readiness Data Base) and MetBench, to help SWE commanders, program managers, and fleet technical support communities."

NSWC Corona operates and maintains the Surface Warfare Division (OPNAV N86)-chartered MRDB for NAVSEA, which enables readiness analysis and delivery of readiness assessment products for critical combat systems. 

 "As we go about the business of making warships ready for tasking, it is incumbent on us to look for ways to improve future readiness and leverage good ideas that will help build the surface force of the future," said Quinn.  "That's why the CNO believes it is critical the Navy's focus on future development remains intact and the goal of a minimum 313-ship Fleet is reached."

As the Navy's leading independent assessment agent, NSWC Corona responsible for gauging the warfighting capability of ships and aircraft, analyzing missile defense systems and assessing the adequacy of warfare training.  The command also sets the measurement and calibration standards for the Navy and Marine Corps.  The base is home to three premier national laboratories: the Joint Warfare Assessment Lab, the Measurement Science and Technology Lab, and the Daugherty Memorial Assessment Center, which are instrumental in fulfilling Corona's mission and supporting the nation's armed forces.