But I'd like to know what functions, as in what manned stations, are common to the CIC and what the use is of the bridge of a vessel. If possible, list the crew and officer stations for the CIC and Bridge separately.

 

Thanks.

Dated (1958) but otherwise probably useful ...

 

From GENE SLOVER'S US NAVY FIRE CONTROL PAGES

NAVAL ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY

VOLUME 2 FIRE CONTROL

 

The key personnel in CIC are:

 

1. Evaluator. An officer experienced in tactics (normally the operations officer) acts as adviser to command. By his qualifications and experience, he is well versed in all matters pertaining to naval operations. He is kept informed of the general tactical situations in order to make the best evaluation of information available in CIC. The evaluator is charged with general supervision of the combat information center during general quarters.

 

2. CIC officer. Under the operations officer, he is charged primarily with the operation and maintenance of the combat information center and the equipment connected therewith. His duties include the collection and distribution of operational information, supervision of lookouts, maintenance of records, and preparation of reports.

 

3. Controller. This man is charged with the responsibility for controlling aircraft in the air-defense area. He is qualified to perform all CIC functions, and is particularly proficient in all phases of air-craft control. His other duties include assisting the CIC officer in evaluating the tactical situation, supervising CIC operations, and controlling communications used in interceptions under his control.

 

4. CIC watch officer. The CIC watch officer takes charge of the watch in Combat. He sees that CIC logs are properly maintained and that watch routine is observed. He is responsible for the performance of CIC during the period of his watch.

 

5. Gunnery liaison officer. An officer of the gun-department responsible for passing target indication data from CIC to gunnery control stations is stationed in CIC. He is proficient in the interpretation of radar indications. His duties include effecting the transfer of targets from search radars to fire control radars, and relaying available radar spotting information to gunnery control stations. He must have a complete knowledge of the target designation and acquisition situation.

 

6. Enlisted personnel. Enlisted personnel positions in CIC are identified by the specific plot upon which a plotter is recording information, and by the specific radar or other equipment which the man is operating. The men are generally designated plotters, operators, talkers, or recorders.

Sounds like an NGFS setup to me. The problem with answering the question fully is that manning levels and required watch stations can vary widely from one evolution to another and from ship class to ship class.

 

During normal steaming aboard the Mars, an AFS, we had 2 Radarmen on watch with one on the surface search asnd one doing the plotting, R/T talking, log keeping, etc.

 

GQ on the Midway, on the other hand, was organized chaos with about 60 people doing a wide variety of different jobs.

 

The ships CIC doctrine should list all the details the man is asking for, but I'm not sure an unclassified version of one would be available. I believe the OS 1&C had an example in one of the chapters, but IIRC, it was classified confidential.

 

In Harpoon, it appears the Staff Assistant is taking reports from the TAOs on the various units under the player's control, so as the flag officer, the player doesn't need to concern himself with details. If the player needed to concern himself with individual watchstanders, I doubt Chester Nimitz or Bull Halsey would be able to play the game and really enjoy it.

 

There's an old DOS game similar to Harpoon called Aegis still available out there that offers displays and actions available at the various watch stations, but I never found it anywhere near as good as Harpoon.

 

Buddha

Interesting.

 

BTW, Crashdown, what's your avatar of?

Interesting.

 

BTW, Crashdown, what's your avatar of?

 

It looks like an F-105.

But I'd like to know what functions, as in what manned stations, are common to the CIC and what the use is of the bridge of a vessel. If possible, list the crew and officer stations for the CIC and Bridge separately.

 

Thanks.

 

The impression I've gotten is that the bridge drives the ship, the CIC fights it.

Interesting.

 

BTW, Crashdown, what's your avatar of?

 

It looks like an F-105.

 

It's a F-105.

 

And thanks again, I see that I asked a difficult question.

But I'd like to know what functions, as in what manned stations, are common to the CIC and what the use is of the bridge of a vessel. If possible, list the crew and officer stations for the CIC and Bridge separately.

 

Thanks.

 

The impression I've gotten is that the bridge drives the ship, the CIC fights it.

 

That's also been the picture that I've gotten, but I guess my question was what the differences in the manned consoles on the Bridge and CIC are; ie, is there a guy in charge of airborne operations at both locations or is that exclusively one or the other?

Interesting.

 

BTW, Crashdown, what's your avatar of?

 

It looks like an F-105.

 

It's a F-105.

 

Thanks.