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| Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-Va. listens as USJFCOM Commander
Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani explains a modeling and simulation
system. Click on this image by Marc Benshetler to get
a high quality version of this image. |
Congressional
staffers see real world modeling and simulation up close
and personal
U.S.
Joint Forces Command showcased various modeling and
simulation efforts to the House of Representatives Modeling
and Simulation Training Caucus during a recent visit to the
command.
By Jennifer Colaizzi
USJFCOM Public Affairs
(SUFFOLK, Va. - July 18, 2005) -- Staff members from the
House of Representatives Modeling and Simulation Training
Caucus visited U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) today
to see modeling
and simulation working to support the warfighter
of today and of the future.
USJFCOM officials told the visiting staff members that
modeling and simulation is absolutely essential to effective
joint training and joint experimentation.
"Modeling
and simulation is a critical enabler for Joint, coalition,
and interagency experimentation, training,
integration and interoperability. This enhances the effectiveness
of current operations in support of joint force commanders" said
Air Force
Maj. Gen. James N. Soligan, USJFCOM chief of
staff.
Soligan
also emphasized that modeling and simulation (M&S) works
exercises and strengthens important partnerships between
the Defense Department, State Department, Homeland Security,
and regional and local stakeholders.
The
caucus, formed in February, by Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.),
toured the USJFCOM M&S facilities
and witnessed first hand how USJFCOM's M&S
work provides capability to the joint warfighter, ultimately
saving lives.
"I'm absolutely committed to the fact that it is
a national security benefit for us to make sure that we
remain at the cutting edge of technology in this area and
we don't allow other countries to usurp that from us," said
Forbes during his visit to USJFCOM.
According
to Forbes, it is important that USJFCOM is in the forefront
of modeling and simulation.
"Jointness is the key to everything we do in the
military. We can not do jointness without modeling and
simulation," said Forbes. Right now, at USJFCOM, "we
are seated at the hub of jointness."
Forbes
said that today's tour provided staffers a better understanding
of what USJFCOM does and how M&S is shaping the future.
Congressional
members rely on their staffers for the deep insight and
understanding into the many topics they need
to be aware of, said Forbes who added that the visit to
USJFCOM was to promote understanding.
Forbes said that the next step for the caucus is an acquisition
summit, which will take place at USJFCOM in the fall. He
hopes to have a round table discussion with Department
of Defense officials and vendors to see how to make the
process better.
Navy
Adm. Edmund Giambastiani, USJFCOM commander who was
just confirmed as the next vice chairman of the Joint
Chiefs
of Staff, told staff members that "growth at USJFCOM
has been explosive" in the modeling and simulation
area and in partnership areas.
Giambastiani
said that the command was a national and worldwide resource
and emphasized how USJFCOM's role attracts
modeling and simulation experts from across the nation
to the local area. He mentioned that today also marks
the opening of Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics
Laboratory USJFCOM field office.
According to Soligan, simulations are essential for USJFCOM
to accomplish its mission of providing combatant commanders
with trained and ready joint forces and capabilities.
"We are excited and I think Americans would be excited" about
the command's work, said Forbes.
"We are getting testaments almost on a weekly basic
from our soldiers that their lives are saved or fellow
troops' lives are saved because of training that they received
at USJFCOM or something that took place in modeling and
simulation," said Forbes.
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