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USJFCOM
hosts Joint National Training Capability training technology
exposition
U.S. Joint Forces Command gave visiting general and flag
officers a walking tour of displays and technology demonstrations
to showcase the command's efforts in training transformation.
By
JOC(SW/AW) Chris Hoffpauir
USJFCOM Public Affairs
(SUFFOLK,
Va. – June 1, 2006) – U.S. Joint
Forces Command (USJFCOM) gave visiting general and flag
officers a walking tour of displays and technology demonstrations
today to showcase the command's efforts in training transformation.
USJFCOM's Joint
Warfighter Center (JWFC) coordinated the
event to highlight current and future investment strategies
for supporting joint and service training programs. The
demonstrations provided a unique opportunity for service,
combatant command and DoD officials to see the latest technologies
and Joint
National Training Capability (JNTC) initiatives
the command is pursuing.
"This technology demonstration is part of USJFCOM's
ongoing effort to foster a rapid transition of innovative
science and technology from the laboratory to the field,
focus research and development activities, and promote
partnerships with industry that expedite capability solutions," JWFC
Commander and USJFCOM's Director of Joint Training Marine
Corps Maj. Gen. Jon Gallinetti said in a letter welcoming
the group.
Navy Capt. David Frost, director of the JNTC Joint Management
Office at JWFC, said today's event focused on the technologies
used to provide credible opposing forces (OPFOR) for training.
"Having realistic opposing forces is one of the key
elements of the JNTC initiative," Frost said. "What
we're demonstrating here is what we're doing within the
OPFOR realm and where our investments are going. We're
using 80 to 90 percent of what's on display today now in
JNTC-enabled exercises.
"It
runs the gamut from modeling and simulation to knowledge
distribution tools to static displays. These
are tools for training from the operational level to the
tactical level."
JWFC Deputy Commander Army Maj. Gen. Rich Wightman said
the event was an opportunity for the command to broaden
the scope of its work in transforming military training.
Wightman said USJFCOM Commander Air
Force Gen. Lance Smith wanted the command to show what it's doing not only to
support the Long War, but also what it's doing to support
the joint warfighter in the future.
"Some
of the things we're showing our guests today are applicable
right now, supporting soldiers in the field. Others are
applicable in the long term as well," said Wightman.
Among the group was Director of the Readiness and Training,
Policy and Program Directorate in the Office of the Under
Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Daniel
Gardner.
Gardner leads DoD's Training Transformation Initiative
(T2), which includes JNTC and the Joint
Knowledge Development and Distribution Capability, both managed by USJFCOM, and
the Joint Assessment and Enabling Capability managed by
the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Gardner said events like today's exhibition are critical
for keeping decision makers informed about what capabilities
are available to improve training.
"This really opens my eyes to the potential of new
capabilities being fielded," Gardner said. "If
we can train realistically that gives our folks an edge
when they get into an operational environment. It's all
about resources and how you make the most efficient use
of those resources. That's what USJFCOM is doing here,
determining the best way to move forward in the training
transformation."
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