College of Maritime Operational Warfare Completes 2026 Joint Force Maritime Component Commander Course

NEWPORT, RI – The U.S. Naval War College’s (NWC) College of Maritime Operational Warfare (CMOW) concluded its 2026 Joint Force Maritime Component Commander (JFMCC) course in Newport, Rhode Island, April 3.

Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, led this year’s course, with facilitation from CMOW Dean Ed Cashman and retired flag officers Vice Adm. John Alexander, former commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, and Lt. Gen. Brian Beaudreault, former commander, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

The JFMCC course is flag-level professional military education (PME) designed to prepare future maritime component commanders, as well as senior officers and officials who will work closely with them, to plan and execute complex maritime operations.

"Today’s maritime commander must be the architect of a complex multi-domain warfighting ecosystem that blends joint forces, unmanned systems and strategic effects from the seabed to space," said Thomas. "This course ensures our leaders are ready to conduct integrated operations by challenging and adapting traditional doctrine and wrestling with the 'how' of modern warfare. They leave Newport with the refined strategic lens required to lead through and solve our most difficult military challenges."

Twenty-one flag and general officers, along with civilian equivalents from across the joint force, participated in the course to explore JFMCC concepts and doctrine, operational-level capabilities, and command and control processes and applications tailored for the Joint Force Commander – as well as supporting functional component commanders.

"The U.S. Naval War College has unmatched subject matter experts from military, academic and industry backgrounds who can provide our next wave of maritime component commanders with the full breadth of understanding they'll need to lead forces to victory in today's complex battlespace,” said NWC President Rear Adm. Darryl Walker. “This course has been tailored to build upon these exceptional, battle-proven flag officers' strengths and experiences and help sharpen them further for the tip of the spear."

Commands represented by students and facilitators included the Joint Staff; the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and the Office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Combatant and functional command participation included U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Cyber Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, and U.S. Transportation Command.

Additional representation included U.S. Fleet Forces Command; U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/Allied Joint Force Command Naples; U.S. Naval Forces Central Command; U.S. 6th Fleet; U.S. 10th Fleet/U.S. Fleet Cyber Command; U.S. Army Europe and Africa; Pacific Air Forces; the National

Security Agency/Central Security Service; the Central Intelligence Agency; the Office of Naval Intelligence; Naval Information Forces; Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center; Expeditionary Group 7; three submarine groups; and four carrier strike groups.

Participants in the course addressed the challenges confronting the commander at the operational level of war in the maritime domain, and graduated with an enhanced ability to articulate and execute the role of Maritime Component Commander in the design of a campaign plan to achieve effects desired by the Joint Force Commander.

NWC delivers excellence in education, research, and outreach, informing today’s decision-makers and educating tomorrow’s leaders. The college provides educational experiences and learning opportunities that develop students’ ability to anticipate and prepare strategically for the future, strengthen the foundations of peace, and create a decisive warfighting advantage.