Jerry Ferguson
Deputy Commander, Undersea Warfare Development Center
2019 Undersea Warfare Technology Spring Conference
Mr. Ferguson is the deputy for the Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC). UWDC is a main component for the Navy’s Warfighting Center of Excellence for Undersea Warfare, and is headquartered in Groton, Connecticut with detachments in San Diego, Calif., Norfolk, Va., and Yokosuka, Japan. UWDC is responsible for training, assessment, tactical development, and analysis of Undersea Warfare capabilities including submarines, and integrated Fleet Operations.
He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in December 2004 when he was selected as the deputy for the newly established fleet Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) command. Mr. Ferguson led the development of the integrated Antisubmarine Warfare training continuum that remains in use for all Navy strike groups. His fleet integrated prioritized capability list, which delineates fleet requirements to the CNO, has become standard practice force wide.
In October 2006, Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Command merged with the Navy Mine Warfare Command to form the Naval Mine and Antisubmarine Warfare Command (NMAWC) where he continued to serve as the deputy. NMAWC was the Navy’s Warfighting Center of Excellence for Mine Warfare and Antisubmarine Warfare that conducted integrated undersea warfare training and assessment Navy-wide.
In September 2015, the ASW team from Naval Mine and Antisubmarine Warfare Command shifted to become part of the new Undersea Warfighting Development Center.
Prior to joining the civil service, Mr. Ferguson served as an active duty Navy officer. Afloat, he served as an officer in charge (OIC) of several direct support elements aboard U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarines. He commanded USS HARRY W. HILL (DD-986) and served as operations officer for the cruiser Destroyer Group THREE / USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) Battle Group. As commander for the Destroyer Squadron FIFTEEN, Mr. Ferguson commanded the Yokosuka, Japan-based escorts for the USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) and USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) Battle Groups.
As N74, he led the development of the Navy’s initial USW Mission Capability Package which blended ASW and Mine Warfare requirements and programs. During his last year as N74, he served simultaneously as head, Warfare Integration Branch (N702) for the then-new Warfare Integration Division (N70) where he oversaw the development of Mission Capability Packages for all naval warfare areas.
He concluded his active duty service as chief of staff for commander for Carrier Group One (COMCARGRU 1). COMCARGRU 1 conducted advanced warfare training for all West Coast Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups.
Mr. Ferguson earned a bachelor’s degree from Eckerd College and a master’s degree from Georgetown University. He was awarded the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal and Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal. His active duty decorations included the Legion of Merit (five awards) and Meritorious Service Medal (four awards).