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Marine & Aviation

NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) administers the NOAA fleet of ships and aircraft, and trains divers to safely facilitate Earth observation.
NOAA WP-3D Hurricane Hunter
NOAA
NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) administers the NOAA fleet of ships and aircraft, and trains divers to safely facilitate Earth observation.
Our mission
OMAO's mission is to safely deliver effective Earth observation capabilities, integrate emerging technologies, and provide a specialized, flexible, and reliable team responsive to NOAA and the Nation.
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About NOAA Marine & Aviation //
OMAO's research and survey ships comprise the largest fleet of federal research ships in the nation. Ranging from large oceanographic research vessels capable of exploring the world’s deepest ocean, to smaller ships responsible for charting the shallow bays and inlets of the United States, the fleet supports a wide range of marine activities including fisheries research, nautical charting, and ocean and climate studies. OMAO’s aircraft operate throughout the world providing a wide range of capabilities including hurricane reconnaissance and research, marine mammal and fisheries assessment, and coastal mapping. NOAA aircraft carry scientists and specialized instrument packages to conduct research for NOAA’s missions. Composed of civilians and officers of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, OMAO also manages the NOAA Diving Program, NOAA Small Boat Program and NOAA Aviation Safety Program.