NIWA Suitland

**NIWA Suitland** refers to the military-affiliated presence at the National Ice Center, located in Suitland, Maryland, within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) complex. Established in 1976, the National Ice Center (NIC) is a tri-agency operational center jointly operated by the United States Navy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the United States Coast Guard. The military detachment at NIWA Suitland—primarily composed of Navy and Coast Guard personnel—supports global ice analysis and sea ice forecasting critical for U.S. naval operations, maritime safety, and national security. Over the decades, NIWA Suitland has played a vital role in supporting polar navigation, submarine missions, and strategic planning by providing timely ice data to military commanders and allied agencies.