13:28 GMT, April 22, 2009 The U.S. Navy will establish the newest warfare center of excellence during a ceremony commissioning the Navy Air and Missile Defense Command (NAMDC) at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Va., April 30th at 10 a.m. The guest speaker for this event will be Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Robert F. Willard.

Media wishing to cover the establishment ceremony should contact Mr. Gary Wagner, Naval Support Facility Dahlgren Public Affairs Officer, at (540) 653-1475 by noon, April 28.

Commanded by Rear Adm. Brad Hicks, NAMDC is the lead organization for Navy joint and combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). NAMDC serves as the single 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. NAMDC will interface with operational commands, resource sponsors, system commands, research organizations, doctrine developers, training organizations, and other centers of excellence; and will provide IAMD operational mission support to the fleet. NAMDC will report to Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet.

“NAMDC will mature our proven ballistic missile capability and move us towards a new level of integrated air and missile defense dominance in the maritime domain,” said Vice Adm. Samuel J. Locklear, 3rd Fleet commander.

IAMD, which includes ballistic missile defense, is a Navy key war-fighting 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.