Aaron Auger, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global science advisor to Navy Expeditionary Forces (CNEF), visits (NAVFAC EXWC)

PORT HUENEME, Calif. — Aaron Auger, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global science advisor to Navy Expeditionary Forces (CNEF), visited Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) in Port Hueneme, California, Aug. 19, 2026, to gain a firsthand look at the command’s expeditionary engineering capabilities, technical expertise, and innovation ecosystem.

The visit, led by Mark B. Thompson, NAVFAC EXWC's Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) Tech Transfer Program Manager, included a series of briefs highlighting NAVFAC EXWC’s diverse mission areas and the depth of expertise across its Oceans, Expeditionary, and Shore departments. Auger toured several laboratories and engaged with subject matter experts supporting a wide range of expeditionary warfighting capabilities.

During the laboratory tours, Auger met with Dr. Injun Song, a professional civil engineer with NAVFAC EXWC, who described the physical properties of an experimental concrete sample and its response to excessive heat and thrust. Auger also connected with Bill Varnava, a professional engineer and the Water Technology Product Lead with NAVFAC EXWC, at the Seawater Desalination Test Facility.

Varnava demonstrated an innovative, small-scale hydropower system being developed in conjunction with shore and private industry to increase energy resiliency, and detailed the laboratory's 40-year history of developing water filtration technologies, ranging from the Individual Water Purification System (IWPS) to the Columbia-class submarine desalination system. Auger examined metal part samples from a hybrid additive manufacturing system within the Advanced Manufacturing Intermodal Containerized System for the Naval Construction Force (AMICS-NCF).

A key highlight of the visit was exposure to FATHOMWERX, NAVFAC EXWC’s collaborative innovation and prototyping environment located at a secure 60,000-square-foot facility at the Port of Hueneme. Operating as a public-private consortium and a designated NavalX Tech Bridge, FATHOMWERX connects naval laboratories, industry, and mission partners to accelerate problem-solving and technology development.

The visit provided an opportunity to demonstrate the operational relevance of NAVFAC EXWC’s capabilities in support of CNEF and the Fleet. The firsthand engagement gives the ONR science advisor a stronger understanding of how NAVFAC EXWC delivers innovative, mission-focused solutions for expeditionary warfighters, helping to inform future collaboration across the naval research and warfare center enterprise.

Headquartered at Naval Base Ventura County, NAVFAC EXWC is a command comprised of federal civilians, contractors, and military personnel delivering research, development, test, and evaluation, as well as in-service engineering solutions across expeditionary, ocean, and shore technical domains.

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