Office of Marine and Aviation Operations

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
Name	Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
Formed	1970
Jurisdiction	United States Department of Commerce
Headquarters	Silver Spring, Maryland
Chief1 position	Director
Parent agency	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Website	https://www.omao.noaa.gov

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. It is the uniformed service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, providing seagoing and airborne capabilities essential for the agency's scientific mission. The office operates a fleet of research ships and aircraft that collect critical data on the world's oceans and atmosphere. Its personnel include both civilians and commissioned officers of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.

History and establishment

The origins trace to the 19th-century survey ships of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, a predecessor agency. A formal aviation program began in 1917 with flights supporting coastal charting. The modern office was established in 1970 following the creation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the United States Department of Commerce. This reorganization consolidated the maritime and aerial assets of legacy agencies like the Environmental Science Services Administration and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Key historical vessels include the NOAA Ship Discoverer and the pioneering flight work conducted from locations like MacDill Air Force Base.

Mission and responsibilities

The primary mission is to operate, manage, and maintain NOAA's fleet of research and survey ships and aircraft. This directly supports the agency's mandates in oceanography, fisheries research, hydrographic surveying, and climate science. Core responsibilities include conducting atmospheric reconnaissance for the National Weather Service, performing ecosystem assessments for the National Marine Fisheries Service, and executing seafloor mapping missions for the National Ocean Service. The office also plays a critical role in emergency response, such as conducting aerial surveys after events like Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Fleet and aircraft assets

The marine fleet consists of high-endurance oceanographic vessels, coastal survey ships, and fisheries research ships. Notable active vessels include the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown, a global-class ship operating in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean, and the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, dedicated to ocean exploration. The aviation division operates a diverse fleet including two Lockheed WP-3D Orion aircraft, famously used for hurricane hunting, and several Gulfstream IV-SP jets for high-altitude atmospheric research. Other aircraft types include de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter and Beechcraft King Air models used for coastal mapping and marine mammal surveys.

Key programs and operations

A flagship program is the Hurricane Hunters mission, where crewed aircraft penetrate tropical cyclones to gather vital data for the National Hurricane Center. The office also leads the National Deep-Sea Coral Research and Technology Program, utilizing remotely operated vehicles like those deployed from the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster. Other significant operations include the annual Ecosystem and Fisheries-Oceanography Coordinated Investigations in the Bering Sea and long-term hydrographic surveys in critical regions like the Puget Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. Aircraft are routinely deployed for Arctic research in collaboration with the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Organizational structure

The office is headed by a Director, a senior NOAA executive, and is divided into several divisions. The Marine Operations Center is located in Newport, Oregon, while the Aviation Operations Center is based at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Florida. Operational command and logistical support are managed through these centers. The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, a uniformed service under the Uniformed services of the United States, provides a significant portion of the operational leadership, including ship captains and aircraft commanders, and is administered by the office.

Partnerships and collaborations

The office maintains extensive partnerships with other federal agencies, including the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for joint missions and asset sharing. It collaborates closely with academic institutions such as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. International partnerships are common, with joint research cruises conducted with agencies like Japan Meteorological Agency and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. Data collected is shared globally with organizations like the World Meteorological Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

Category:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Category:United States Department of Commerce agencies Category:Government agencies established in 1970