Standing watch: Inside NSWCDD's Crisis Response Center

Standing watch: Inside NSWCDD's Crisis Response Center

By Dorina Watermolen, NSWCDD

When crisis strikes, every second counts. At Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), a command-and-control capability stands ready to respond - the Crisis Response Center (CRC).

This isn't just another emergency response system; it's an operational nerve center designed to ensure the continuity of mission-critical support to the fleet in moments when speed, clarity and unified action matter most.

When crises unfold, the gears of the CRC begin to turn, utilizing NSWCDD's expertise and communication networks to provide immediate support. CRC teams maintain real-time communication, assess needs and offer specialized assistance whether damage occurs at sea, in a foreign port or on a base.

For NSWCDD Commanding Officer Capt. Joe Oravec, the CRC reflects a strategic direction in how the Navy approaches crisis management and operational resilience. The center brings together robust control and coordination capabilities, allowing leadership to maintain vital situational awareness - whether the issue is a global conflict or a local emergency. By connecting stakeholders and keeping communication channels open, the CRC plays a vital role in rapid crisis response.

"We're part of the Navy's Global Maritime Response Plan," said Oravec. "By centralizing information and streamlining decision-making, the CRC enhances our ability to align with broader Navy strategic objectives and maintain our warfighting edge."

At the heart of the CRC

The daily operation of the CRC is shaped by subject matter experts like Rob Ward, NSWCDD Warfighting Readiness and Response lead and the main architect of the center's operating model.

"The CRC is the single node that concentrates all the efforts we're supporting at Dahlgren," said Ward. "Rather than having multiple programs reporting separately, we coordinate, brief everything to leadership and then deliver a unified, clear message to higher headquarters and fleet operators worldwide."

The CRC has three primary watch stations: the battle watch commander, the knowledge management coordinator and the common operating picture coordinator; all three of them collaborating in a designated war room.

"What you'll see is a large table with three watch stations. At each watch station, they have access to unclassified chat, classified chat, real-time information feeds, secure video conferencing and direct links to fleet operations centers," said Ward. "We also have additional areas where the Technical Director and the Captain can sit, or any other technical department representatives we need to bring in."

The operational concept is straightforward yet highly effective. "During an emergency, we want the CRC to serve as the heartbeat of operations - a place where everyone throughout Dahlgren and Dam Neck Activity knows they can reach someone who's ready to respond," Ward explains.

The activation of the CRC triggers a coordinated response across the critical programs of the installation, creating an immediate network of expertise.

The center's scalability allows it to adapt from standby operations to full 24/7 manning based on crisis conditions, ensuring appropriate response levels for any situation.

The CRC has not yet been activated for a real-world crisis, but it has been rigorously tested through exercises simulating everything from catastrophic events impacting Navy assets to local emergencies requiring base support.

When NSWCDD leadership activates the CRC, it is prepared to handle any request that aligns with Dahlgren's and Dam Neck's capabilities. After assessing the situation, a condition level is assigned ranging from normal status and maintaining readiness to a full alert due to a catastrophic event. The conditions are designed to ramp to the highest level required to assist the fleet and inform leadership, then as the event unfolds or concludes, the condition will reset to normal operations.

Even when inactive, the CRC and base programs continuously monitor systems to ensure they are ready to respond swiftly and effectively.

Who stands the watch? Our people.

Lt. Adam Bibeau, who serves as project lead for the Vertical Launching System and a battle watch commander for the CRC, sees firsthand how collaboration within the center bridges the gap between complex technical development and prompt delivery to real-world fleet operations.

"This level of expertise and coordination ensures we can support the fleet whenever and wherever it's needed most," said Bibeau, who brings the perspective of an operational Sailor and program manager.

"Coming from sea duty, I know how valuable the expertise at Dahlgren is to the fleet," Bibeau said. "With the CRC, we facilitate communications Navy-wide. If there's an issue - a ship casualty anywhere in the world - we reach out to the experts, pull together the right people and provide the answers that keep warfighters operational."

His motivation is personal.

"I have friends out there. I want them to have the most capable systems and to know they're backed by our expertise," said Bibeau.

The center's effectiveness also relies on the dedication of civilian professionals like Phillip Kim, a project lead at NSWCDD. With deep experience as both a scientist and as a Navy veteran, Kim brings operational insight and technical know-how to the CRC. He manages the battle watch command alongside a demanding project portfolio, finding ways to translate the challenges of fleet support into actionable solutions.

Kim's experience working across many departments at Dahlgren demonstrates one of the CRC's main strengths: the ability to quickly connect the right experts to urgent problems.

"When a ship has an issue, the CRC pushes out the problem to the full NSWCDD workforce," said Kim. "The more people respond, the stronger our solutions are."

The challenge lies in balancing these added duties with primary job responsibilities, underscoring the ongoing need for a robust, cross-trained volunteer pool - especially civilian engineers with broad institutional knowledge.

Readiness built on training and experience

CRC training is thorough and demanding by design. The program emphasizes scenario-driven exercises, hands-on rotations and personal qualification standards that build confidence and flexibility on the watch floor. Being effective on watch requires quick thinking, clear communication and an ability to translate complex technical issues for both operators and decision-makers.

"You have to manage stress, break down information and communicate clearly with everyone - Sailors, engineers and leaders," said Bibeau. "You learn on the job, but the training keeps you sharp."

The collaborative, multi-role training model ensures all team members are prepared to step in and maintain watch.

"Our team rotates between roles. Everyone trains to step in wherever needed, so coverage and continuity are never at risk," said Kim.

This spirit of teamwork and readiness - embedded in every watch rotation - ensures the CRC can deliver trusted, actionable support within matter of hours.

Strengthening the foundation for tomorrow

The CRC's importance extends beyond NSWCDD and underpins the Navy's evolving approach to operational effectiveness and crisis response.

Capt. Oravec sees the CRC as a cornerstone of operational capability: "It's about being able to operate under any circumstances, so we can respond more quickly to tasking and coordinate our actions effectively. By ensuring we have the right people and processes in place, we can better support the fleet during crises and conflicts."

For those considering the battle watch role, the message from NSWCDD's CRC team is clear: the work is demanding, but the rewards are lasting - building connections across the Navy, driving innovation in crisis response and ensuring our warfighters never stand alone.

As the CRC continues to grow and train, its mission endures: to amplify expertise, motivate new volunteers and keep the Navy ready for the challenges of today - and tomorrow.