Command Profile
Written by Capt. Douglas Heady
Naval Education and Training Security
Assistance Field Activity Profile
As a global force for good, the U.S. Navy deploys across the globe to build confidence and faith among nations through cooperative security efforts centered on common threats and shared interest. Because over 70 percent of the world is covered by water and nearly 80 percent of the world’s populace lives on or near the coastline, naval security is critical to the United States, as well as nations around the world.
Each day in today’s shifting geo-political environment, U.S. security is tested by aggressive trans-national radical networks, hostile states armed with weapons of mass destruction, emerging space and cyber threats, and a worldwide struggle for natural resources. Because of these threats, the U.S. Navy cooperating effectively with navies around the world is more important than ever. The successful execution of the Maritime strategy includes providing training to international partners to support the evolving state of continual maritime readiness 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As the U.S. Navy’s instrument for managing international training under the Security Assistance and Security Cooperation programs, Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) coordinates and supplies training support to international governments and organizations. Daily it builds relationships which advance U.S. interests, strengthen defense relationships and helps partner nations develop abilities to participate in coalition operations.
Depending on a nation’s training needs, NETSAFA coordinates training at Navy’s learning sites, private institutions and other training providers. Each year more than 6,500 international students from 155 nations attend training at numerous professional military education establishments, warfare community schools, technical centers and other training sites in support of foreign military sales weapons acquisitions.
A great example are the students from Australia, Canada, Egypt, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland and Portugal, who capped off seven months of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) training by completing the month long EOD Phase II Navy course where they learned how to identify, recover/ evaluate and dispose underwater explosive ordnance.
NETSAFA also manages the Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity International Training Center (NITC) aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. NITC’s preliminary training introduces international students to the U.S. Navy’s approach to training. The school provides training in numerous military disciplines, both operational and administrative, and has successfully met the needs of more than 45 nations.
The school offers a wide range of courses in aviation, technical skills, and courses that provide students with fundamental academic skills and practical knowledge in orientation, learning skills, vocabulary, reading comprehension, mathematics, graphics interpretation, manual use, science, job skill orientation and life fitness.
Specialized training is also offered in areas such as International anti-terrorism/ anti-piracy, as well as leadership. The training approach taken at NITC is to enhance learning through group and individual tutoring, interactive multimedia and computer simulation programs.
Many students are funded by the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program. IMET is a State Department security assistance program, managed by the Defense Department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, to provide professional military training and education to U.S. allies. Last year, IMET provided training to more than 7,000 students from 130 countries.
Training doesn’t only take place at Department of Navy learning sites. Last year the first group of 50 Iraqi sailors received training at the Swiftships Shipbuilding facility in Morgan City, La. They were trained to operate, maintain and deploy their newly purchased 15-man patrol boats.
The 90-day blended training program consisted of instructor-led classroom training, integrated scenario-based simulator training, and underway familiarization aboard a 35-meter patrol boat.
Because the Iraqi navy is vital to Iraq’s national security and important for the successful hand-over of control, we are training them to maintain, protect and secure their territorial waters and port of entry. This training is preparing them for the day when Iraq is asked by its neighbors to join the Gulf Cooperation Council.
NETSAFA is in the business of building enduring international partnerships to support our maritime strategy. The working relationships and understanding we are building through training is a strong foundation for advancing U.S. interests and promoting greater collective security, stability and trust with nations around the world. ♦
Captain Douglas Heady is commanding officer, Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity.