Q21. Q22. Q23. Q24. The MIDDS SAND application is used to display what types of information? What is the function of the MIDDS FOS module? A Flight Weather Briefing form (DD-175-1) can be   completed   by   using   which   MIDDS application? Which MIDDS software application tool can provide  temperature  trend  graphs  for  your station? NAVAL MESSAGE TRAFFIC LEARNING  OBJECTIVES:  Identify  the primary  message  traffic  system  used  by  the Navy. Identify the various parts of a standard Naval message. Identify the publication that outlines  procedures  for  formatting  Naval messages. Identify the message formatting software  used  by  the  Navy.  Interpret  and format  a  Naval  message  readdressal.  Explain the term minimize. The Navy sends thousands of messages each day. As an Aerographer’s Mate, you will be required to draft naval  messages.  You  must  be  able  to  recognize  the various parts of a standard Naval message as well as possess a working knowledge of the message drafting software used by the Navy. The primary message traffic system currently used by  the  Navy  is  the  Automatic  Digital  Network (AUTODIN).   As   communications   technology continues to develop, this system will be phased out as the Navy moves to desktop message creation and transmission. Within the next few years, all message traffic will be transmitted via an e-mail type system known as the Defense Message System @MS). The goal of DMS is to retain the easy-to-use and less expensive individual messaging capabilities employed in  DOD  e-mail  systems.  This  will  shift  message handling  functions  away  from  manpower  intensive communications  centers  to  the  user’s  desktop.  The changeover to DMS will continue through the late 1990’s and into the next century. AUTOMATIC DIGITAL NETWORK (AUTODIN) The Automatic Digital Network (AUTODIN) is a joint-use,  worldwide,  computerized,  communications system. It is managed by the Defense Communications Agency  (DCA).  AUTODIN  provides  for  the transmission of both narrative and graphic data traffic on a store-and-forward basis. AUTODIN provides reliable,  secure,  and  efficient  communications  using high-speed  transmission  equipment  that  incorporates error detection. Interface equipment translates all input into  common  machine  language,  thereby  making AUTODIN  compatible  with  many  computer  codes, speeds, and other media, such as cards and tapes. The   Naval   Communications   Processing   and Routing  System  (NAVCOMPARS)  is  an  automated communications system that serves as the interface between  AUTODIN,  other  networks  ashore,  and operational units of the Navy. AUTODIN traffic is entered  into  NAVCOMPARS  for  distribution. NAVCOMPARS forwards messages to fleet units and provides  broadcast  management  and  HF  or  satellite broadcast   keying. It   also   provides   on-line communications  with  the  Common  User  Digital Information Exchange System (CUDIXS) and the Fleet Multichannel  Broadcast  (FMCB). The  Gateguard  subsystem  is  an  AUTODIN Gateway Terminal (AGT) that provides the user a "gateway" into the AUTODIN system. It essentially provides secure electronic message service from the telecommunications  center  to  the  user’s  desktop computer. Gateguard also acts as a security guard device, hence the name Gateguard. Users may also use Gateguard to route incoming messages to various offices via their local area networks (LANs). As was previously mentioned, AUTODIN will eventually be phased out in favor of DMS.  Many of the changes will be transparent to the user. The mechanics of either system do not concern the average weather observer. The main point is that you understand the Navy message format. NAVAL MESSAGE FORMAT For  message  traffic  to  be  properly  routed  to intended recipients, message traffic must be properly formatted. Naval messages are usually composed on desktop   computers   using   specialized   message composition programs that assist the user in selecting proper format entries.    The software endorsed Navy- wide is known as Message Text Format (MTF) Editor. The software assists the user in composing United States Message Text Formatted (USMTF) messages as well as non-formatted messages. The software is menu- driven and allows the user to draft a formatted message by using a "fill in the blank" template. Within each MTF l-20