Top SWOs Begin Surface Warfare Tactics and Instructor Training

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 first day of SMWDC’s Instructor and Tactics Course (ITC). After completing the Instructor and Tactics Course, candidates head to their respective divisions to achieve full WTI qualification. WTIs are trained as Anti-Submarine Warfare/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW), Amphibious Warfare (AMW), and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) tactical experts. Beginning in fiscal year 2019, SMWDC will also train WTI candidates to become Mine Warfare (MIW) WTIs, expanding the depth and breadth of the surface WTI cadre and network. SMWDC is one of the Navy's five Warfighting Development Centers and its mission is to increase the lethality and tactical proficiency of the Surface Force across all domains. (U.S. Navy photo by Clinton Beaird / Released)