JITC's Advanced Technologies Test Bed (ATT) at Indian Head employs a wide array of protocols and services such as multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), IP telephony, video streaming over IP, network management tools and wireless LAN technology.

The establishment of the Washington Operations Division for the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) at Naval Support Facility Indian Head over 10 years ago marked a significant shift in the makeup of what had heretofore been strictly a Navy community. The arrival of JITC at Indian Head represented an important diversification in the military support flowing from the installation to U.S. warfighters.

JITC is one of the key organizational elements of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and serves as DISA’s developmental and operational test organization. As designated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, JITC is also the authority that certifies that Department of Defense information technology and National Security Systems meet interoperability requirements for joint military operations.

JITC is a member of the Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB) and provides ‘‘one-stop systems testing” with its one-of-a-kind array of test beds and uniquely qualified staff. The command can interface all of its on-site capabilities and its network with any other testing or operational facility worldwide to serve DoD and other federal agencies, allies, coalition partners and commercial vendors.

JITC’s relationship with the Navy spans back to the 1970s when the Joint Tactical Command, Control, and Communications Agency (JTC3A) Joint Interoperability Test Facility (JITF) established a partnership with the Navy Center for Tactical Systems Interoperability (NCTSI) for the interoperability testing of Tactical Digital Information Links (TADIL). In 1988, the Defense Communications Agency (DCA) absorbed the Tri-Service Tactical Communications Joint Test Element and the JTC3A JITF. DCA consolidated these organizations in 1989 to form the ‘‘JITC” in Fort Huachuca, Ariz.

JITC’s primary mission was to provide interoperability compliance testing and certification. As the designated lead for DoD Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C3I) support, DCA tasked JITC to perform interoperability tests of various systems including high-frequency radio systems, military satellite communications systems, and the Worldwide Military Command and Control System.

Focus on Interoperability of Navy Systems

On June 25, 1991, DCA was re-named ‘‘DISA” to reflect its expanded role in managing the defense information infrastructure, now known as the Global Information Grid. As a result, JITC’s responsibilities for ensuring joint interoperability of all military systems began to increase as well, causing the need for growth and expansion within the organization.

In 1993, the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Command proposed an initiative to transfer the functions and resources of the Naval Telecommunications Systems Integration Center (NAVTELSYSIC) to JITC. Since 1976, the NAVTELSYSIC test facility had operated in Cheltenham, Md., and was the primary site for the quality assurance and functional certification testing of all Navy messaging systems. DISA and the Chief of Naval Operations agreed that the transfer of NAVTELSYSIC resources to JITC would enhance operational Fleet support. Thus, JITC’s East Coast arm, known as the Washington Operations Division, was established and, in 1998, relocated to NSF Indian Head.

In fiscal year 2009, the JITC Washington Operations Division at NSF Indian Head experienced 15 percent growth in a major expansion to enable the command to support the testing of many new technologies that are essential to the warfighters in the field. Today, the command employs over 370 people to include nearly 30 military personnel, over 60 federal civilian employees, and over 280 contractors.

The Joint Information Assurance Lab (JIAL) allows JITC’s Information Assurance team to conduct vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, commercial product testing, code assessment and vulnerability analysis, and security tool assessments. In FY 2009, the JITC information assurance team also conducted IA assessments during Combatant Commander Exercises.

The JITC Intelligence Laboratory (JIL) is used to evaluate DoD Intelligence Information System (DoDIIS). In support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, JITC uses JIL assets to perform tests of systems such as the Rapid Response System (RRS), the Central Locator System (CLS), and the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).

To further enhance its current testing infrastructure, JITC has expanded its Advanced Technology Testbed (ATT). Covering over 4,000 square feet, the ATT allows JITC to mitigate the risk of introducing new technology within the GIG.

Connectivity for Distributed Test Events

JITC has established network connectivity to the Defense Research & Engineering Network (DREN) and the Combined Federated Battlelab Network (CFBLNet) from its NSF Indian Head facility. This connectivity provides links to other DoD and joint test sites for improving the interoperability of systems through distributed testing and evaluation in a replicated battlefield environment.

The Command Test Center (CTC), covering more than 1,500 square feet, provides an interactive environment for distributed test events and the conduct of meetings, video teleconferences, multimedia presentations, training sessions and virtual tours.

Testing areas of expertise have expanded to include business and logistics systems, enterprise architectures, and medical systems. As a result, the JITC Washington Operations Division projects continued future growth as the command assists in streamlining the test and evaluation process throughout the Department of Defense.

The JITC Washington Operations Division also continues to be the operational tester of all Navy legacy and transitional messaging systems, both strategic and tactical. JITC has been directly involved in the testing, training and implementation of Navy shore-based systems such as GateGuard, Personal Computer Message Terminal (PCMT), Manual Relay Center Modernization Program (MARCEMP), Multi-Level Mail Server (MMS), Nova, and the Message Conversion System (MCS).

Today, JITC’s East and West Coast divisions work closely to provide valuable test and exercise support to the Navy and the other Services. The JITC organization is currently divided into eight divisions and a liaison office, each having unique responsibilities.

JITC’s superior test methodologies and extensive expertise are shown by the many success stories reported by various Navy organizations. For example, the JITC JDEP (Joint Distributed Engineering Plant) Division’s TADIL Branch at Fort Huachuca continues to work closely with NCTSI detachments in Dahlgren, Va.; Dam Neck, Va.; and San Diego, Calif., for TADIL interoperability assessments and certification.

JITC uses the Joint Interoperability Evaluation System (JIES) for TADIL-A⁄B⁄J testing and the Joint Operational C4I Assessment Tool (JOCAT) for operational assessment of tactical data links. With JITC’s assistance, the Navy has been able to identify and correct deficiencies pertaining to Link 11 (TADIL-A) and Link 16 (TADIL-J) data exchange with Aegis destroyers and E-2C aircraft. The Navy has also improved interoperability between their embarked forces and key allies, through TADIL tests conducted by JITC.

Compiled from multiple sources to include CHIPS magazine (Winter 2003).