Ensuring that quality monitoring and control
procedures are used on all systems;
Maintaining the status board showing pertinent
information on all equipment, nets, and circuits
in use; and
Directly supervising all personnel assigned to
technical control and transmitter room spaces.
Command Ship Communications
The term “flagship” is sometimes used instead of
“command ship” but means the same thing. Either term
means that a group, squadron, or division commander
is embarked on board, thereby making that vessel the
flagship, or command ship. We mentioned earlier that,
in flagships, the embarked commander assumes
responsibility for communications functions. The flag
communications officer is responsible for ship and flag
communications requirements. However, the internal
routing of message traffic remains the responsibility of
the commanding officer of the ship in which the flag is
embarked.
When a flag officer is embarked, the ship’s
communications officer, communications watch
officers, and enlisted communications personnel may
be ordered to additional duty in the flag
communications division. These personnel are directly
responsible to the flag communications officer for the
operation of the flag communications functions. The
ship’s communications officer reports to the flag
communications officer and is the contact officer for
matters pertaining to the handling of ship and staff
message traffic. Figure 2-4 illustrates a standard watch
organization aboard a ship with a flag embarked.
By now, you should have a basic idea of how naval
communications is organized at shore commands and
aboard ship. Remember that there are variations in all
organizations. The command size, scope of operations,
and personnel assets are just a few of the factors that
affect the structure of the communications organization.
OPERATION ORDERS
Operation orders (OPORDs) are directives issued
by naval commanders to subordinates for the purpose
of effecting coordinated execution of an operation.
Figure 2-4.—Communications watch organization.
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