The Navy Air and Missile Defense Command (NAMDC) was established April 30 in a ceremony at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Va. Commanded by Rear Adm. Alan B. "Brad" Hicks, NAMDC is the lead organization for Navy, joint and combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD).

NAMDC serves as the single warfare center of excellence to synchronize and integrate Navy efforts across the full spectrum of air and missile defense to include air defense, cruise missile defense and ballistic missile defense.

"We're on a quest to field a naval capability that is equally adept servicing national missile defense of the United States, regional missile defense for our allies and friends abroad and theater defense for our forward fighting forces," said Adm. Robert F. Willard, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, who served as guest speaker.

As the lead organization for integrated air and missile defense, NAMDC will support the chief of naval operations and fleet component commanders, end-to-end by integrating technologies, warfighting concepts and command and control. NAMDC will provide operational support to the fleet and will report Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet.

IAMD, which includes ballistic missile defense, is a Navy key warfighting capability for the U.S. maritime strategy, which calls for credible combat power to be continuously postured to protect America's vital interests. IAMD provides the ability to use international waters to defend against established and emergent threats, which underlies the importance of free and lawful use of the seas.

FMI: www.navy.mil/local/c3f