USJFCOM Update
Written by Colonel J. Thomas Walrond
Joint Training with International Partners:
A Key to Achieving the Capstone Concept for Joint Operations
JWFC is developing a comprehensive strategy that ultimately will enable the joint force to cooperatively build a combined and joint training environment that replicates the joint operational environment to the fullest possible extent. One initiative of this strategy is the establishment of a joint/coalition test bed. This initiative will provide a capability to rapidly respond to coalition issues and enable the development of broad solutions that satisfy multiple users’ requirements whenever possible and an opportunity to integrate with ongoing exercise support programs. The joint/coalition test bed will provide a persistent connectivity between JFCOM laboratories and other centers of excellence already working interagency/ coalition modeling and simulation (M&S) and command and control (C2) issues, along with a core staff of engineers, planners, integrators, testers and analysts augmented with subject matter experts dedicated to work integration issues. The test bed will employ disciplined, repeatable processes enabling the joint force to enhance integration with interagency and coalition partners.
A key enabler currently in use today to support the execution of distributed joint training is the Joint Training and Experimentation Network (JTEN). Through the use of 43 different service training program JTEN sites, joint live, virtual and constructive training can be executed worldwide without the need to centralize the training audience at one location. JWFC is in the process of expanding connectivity of the JTEN to the United Kingdom’s Joint Multinational Interoperability Network (JMNIAN) and Australia’s Defence Training and Experimentation Network (DTEN). JWFC is also exploring the option to connect to Canada and NATO’s training networks. Linking the JTEN to these international partner networks offers a persistent capability and great potential to support coalition joint training on demand.
In addition to connecting with partner networks, another initiative JWFC has undertaken is the proliferation of joint training tools. JWFC teamed with NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and recently developed and fielded a training capability for NATO that was successfully used during NATO’s Steadfast Joiner exercise in November 2008. Through the Foreign Military Sales program, JWFC is able to share modeling and simulation capabilities, which in turn increase the likelihood of interoperability during the planning and execution of joint training. Currently there are 15 international partners that are actively using JWFC’s Joint Conflict and Tactical Simulation (JCATS) and at least three other partner nations that are in the process of purchasing JCATS. Combatant commander engagement strategies are enhanced through the use of a common training tool.
A persistent training capability and shared tools are worthless unless we actually conduct combined joint force training. All units must participate in a mission rehearsal exercise prior to deploying to Afghanistan or Iraq, and every mission rehearsal exercise integrates coalition partners. However, to fully realize the Capstone Concept for joint operations, we need to routinely and frequently train with our partners well in advance of an actual deployment into a combat zone. JWFC has taken small steps to achieve this. In 2007 JWFC executed Talisman Sabre with Australia. The exercise was a live, virtual and constructive joint training exercise whose goal was to enhance interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces. Talisman Sabre 2009 is currently being planned. Additionally in 2008 JWFC executed Druids Dance with the United Kingdom. Druids Dance brought together live U.K. terminal air controllers and U.S. A-10 pilots operating in virtual simulators. Druids Dance was a successful proof of concept to show how distributed combined joint training can be executed. JWFC also supports multiple combatant commander combined joint exercises such as European Command’s Austere Challenge and Pacific Command’s Terminal Fury.
In today’s unique and uncertain operating environment, war mandates the necessity for U.S. forces to realistically train in a joint environment with international partners. The “Capstone Concept for Joint Operations” challenges current military leaders to “markedly improve the ability to integrate with other U.S. agencies and other partners.” This can only be done through fostering close and continuous relationships with partners in order to develop persistent training capabilities that are used often in support of combined joint training. Only then will we be able to transform processes and procedures that will improve collaboration “before a commitment arises.” ♦