Command Profile: WPC
- provide certified, standardized and credible joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) training;
- enhance theater pre-deployment training;
- build NATO tactical Air Force capability; and
- present joint task force (JTF)/Air Force Forces (AFFOR)/air and space operations center (AOC) theaterwide exercise support.
The WPC has a main training campus, an Air-to-Ground Operations School (AGOS), and three detachments providing training opportunities throughout Europe. The WPC main campus serves as a training center for U.S. European Command, U.S. Joint Forces Command, U.S. African Command, U.S. Army Europe, and U.S. Air Forces in Europe staffs, 3rd AF staff, and 17th AF staff to perform exercises ranging in size from 10 to 1,300 warfighters. The WPC supports the training efforts of the AGOS and three detachments it serves. The WPC detachments include Det 1 Allied Command Operations Tactical Leadership Program, Det 2 Joint Multinational Readiness Center, and Det 3 Polygone Electronic Warfare Range Complex.
EXERCISE SUPPORT THROUGH M&S SUITES
The WPC supports major exercises through myriad different modeling and simulation suites. The WPC has the capability to provide a constructive air war (blue, red, neutral aircraft, weapons, bases) to a training audience using the air warfare simulation (AWSIM) model. The WPC AWSIM suite is operated by Tyler Blakeslee under contract from Alion Science and Technology. The AWSIM suite provides near real-time, constructive and interactive exercise play to a level of detail in planning, tasking and execution similar to real-world procedures in an air and space operations center. It simulates fly-out of the air tasking order (ATO) and airspace control order (ACO) from the theater battle management core system (TBMCS), and provides tactical digital information link—showing (TADIL-J) message standard tracks—via the air defense systems integrator (ADSI) datalink processor to the common operational picture (COP). AWSIM can interact with and integrate virtual simulations and provide feeds to a live COP. AWSIM operates in the distributed interactive simulation/high-level architecture environment and can support worldwide training audiences using existing DoD network architecture.
A second capability the WPC has is to provide an interface between AWSIM and TBMCS using air and space collaborative environment— command and control systems interface (ACE-CSI) suite. This model, operated by Ruben Villaneuva from Alion, also translates the ATO and ACO into a format that can be accepted in AWSIM. ACE-CSI also allows the editing of missions using a graphical interface and provides feedback of mission results back to TBMCS.
To enhance the air war the WPC has the capability to provide virtual intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and unmanned aerial system (UAS) simulation to a training audience using the Air Force synthetic environment for reconnaissance and surveillance (AFSERS) model. The WPC modeling and simulation flight commander, Captain Matthew Davis, and a combination of contractors from Alion and MPRI, a division of L-3 Communications, use this capability to assist with training audiences in the use of ISR platforms during exercises or mission rehearsals with associated command, control, computers, communications and intelligence (C4I) systems, networks and processes. Specific features include electrooptical, infrared video or synthetic aperture radar-still imagery of the 3-D battlefield with simulated static and mobile ground, sea, and air targets. To enhance the virtual ISR and UAS simulation training, a number of LVC capabilities are utilized, including a streaming video capability from UASs to training audience locations.
To complement the ISR and UAS simulations, the WPC has the capability to provide intelligence assets reporting and data collection of blue and red entities in the battlefield using the information operational suite (IOS) of models. IOS is part of the Joint Training Transformation Initiative, which uses Joint Training Confederation (JTC) Joint Infrastructure Software (JIS). IOS simulates many components of command and control and intelligence warfare. IOS is multi-sided, able to portray red, blue and other players, and is designated to play at the collateral level and below, with an optional TS/SCI component available if desired at the training event. Two representative ISR and UAS simulations include electronic warfare simulation and joint command and control (C2) attack simulation.
The output of the IOS suite of models includes a laundry list of reports for manipulation and training audiences. Two of these reports include close air support summaries and battle damage assessment reports.
The WPC Operations Branch (WPC/DO) maintains oversight of WPC exercise programs and has the capability to plan, schedule and execute operational- and tactical-level exercises. In this capacity, the WPC works with other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental agencies to design the exercise from start to finish by taking exercise and training objectives and turning them into technical and operational exercise solutions for meeting those objectives.
A team of three U.S. Air Force intelligence officers and enlisted airmen provide intelligence subject matter expert support for exercises either at the WPC or at a deployed location. Exercises typically supported include EUCOM exercises (e.g., Austere Challenge), USAFE exercises (e.g., Northern Fury) and AOC exercises. In addition, the WPC also provides intelligence support to AGOS.
The USAFE AGOS is accredited to instruct initial qualification training of joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) and joint fires observers (JFOs). USAFE AGOS also conducts the Joint Firepower Course (JFC) providing detailed instruction and training for integrating the employment of close air support (CAS) in tactical operations on the joint battlefield. When necessary, USAFE AGOS provides parttask training on digital CAS equipment. USAFE AGOS supports the HQ USAFE Theater Security Cooperation Plan by providing focused CAS seminars for new NATO members and Partnership for Peace nations. AGOS instructors operate in a joint environment combining a mix of USAF, U.S. Army and German officers, and enlisted to create a professional training team.
The ACO TLP, WPC Det 1, is an organization formed under a memorandum of understanding between 10 NATO nations. The objective of the TLP is to increase the effectiveness of allied tactical air forces through the development of leadership skills, tactical flying capabilities, mission planning and tasking capabilities, and conceptual and doctrinal initiatives. TLP is based at Albacete, Spain, and its three operational branches—flying branch, academics branch, and concepts and doctrine branch—are staffed by experienced personnel from the member nations. Current members include: Belgium, Germany, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom and the U.S.
The Warrior Preparation Center’s Detachment 2 (JMRC) works side by side with USAREUR’s staff at Hohenfels Army Installation, Bavaria, to provide varsity-level go-to-war training for USAFE, joint and allied forces. Det 2 (call sign “Bullseye”) specializes in preparing U.S. aircrew and JTACs, NATO forward air controllers (FACs), U.S. and allied JFOs—and the ground maneuver forces that they support—to deploy to combat zones. Det 2 works extensively with International Security Assistance Force operational mentor liaison teams as they prepare to advise and assist Afghan government forces in the fight against terrorism. Bullseye also provides CAS and JTAC familiarization training for those personnel who may have to work with JTACs or call upon CAS in combat.
The Polygone Electronic Warfare Range (WPC/Det 3) provides electronic warfare (EW) training for U.S. and NATO aircrews. Det 3 is the U.S. contingent of the Multinational Aircrew EW Tactics Facility (MAEWTF), known as the Polygone EW Range, which is the only EW training range in continental Europe. German and French specialists round out the manning for the tri-national Polygone enterprise. The focus of Det 3 is the management, operations and maintenance of the U.S. national contribution of EW threat simulators assigned to the MAEWTF. Critical EW training is provided to ensure operational peacetime and combat analysis of airborne U.S. EW equipment and associated tactics. In addition to providing a medium for tactics training, Det 3 provides instrumental feedback in the development of U.S./ Allied EW interoperabilities in the support of combat and humanitarian missions.
Located on the main WPC campus, the USAFE Warrior Prep School provides graduate-level operational training in the form of initial qualification training (IQT) and mission qualification training (MQT) for HQ USAFE and AFFOR staffs, AOC MQT and academics, and training exercises for units assigned to USAFE, NATO and coalition partners. The Warrior Prep School cadre, a mix of MPRI and Alion contractors, also develops continuation training for AFFOR and AOC staffs and is developing joint operational level training courses to provide JTF core element training for JTF setup, joint planning and campaign execution. The Warrior Prep School is transitioning all academics to Web-based courses and will maximize use of Warrior Preparation Center modeling, simulation and LVC capabilities to develop robust exercises to meet specific training objectives for HQ USAFE staff, units assigned to USAFE, and for NATO and coalition partners.
To enhance warfighter training, the WPC modeling and simulation flight in cooperation with Alion developed a state-of-the-art advanced tactical aircraft simulator (ATAS). ATAS enhances JTAC training in the classroom and in the field. ATAS allows a pilot to fly in a simulator and provide full motion targeting pod video to a JTAC via ROVER. The system gives JTACs the ability to train tactics, techniques and procedures using virtual aircraft in a live arena.
The commander of the Warrior Preparation Center, Colonel Scott Manning, is transforming the WPC from a single-mission organization that historically performed only operational-level training exercises. With the addition of the AGOS, three detachments, and an increased focus on extending modeling and simulation capabilities to the tactical level, the “Warrior” in Warrior Preparation Center has never been so well-represented. The WPC team continues to lead the theater in realistic warfighter training through academics, flight training, exercises, and modeling and simulation. ♦