News From USJFCOM: Exercise Atlantic Strike kicks off; focused on improving air-to-ground operations

Exercise Atlantic Strike kicks off; focused on improving air-to-ground operations

U.S. Joint Forces Command's (USJFCOM) Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team (JFIIT) will partner with U.S. Central Command Air Forces (CENTAF) to provide joint close air support expertise and share some unique technological capabilities with joint warfighters.

By Casey Bain
USJFCOM Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team

(AVON PARK AIR GROUND TRAINING COMPLEX, Fla. - Nov. 5, 2007) -- U.S. Joint Forces Command's (USJFCOM) Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team (JFIIT) will partner with U.S. Central Command Air Forces (CENTAF) to provide joint close air support subject matter expertise (SME) during the Atlantic Strike VI exercise running here today through Nov. 9.

The CENTAF-led exercise is focused on improving joint air to ground synchronization and training of Air Force joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC), Army fires observer (FO) teams, and the Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) by fully incorporating intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets along with real-time, full motion video to replicate a realistic and stressful combat environment similar to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

More than 800 participants and subject matter experts will participate in Atlantic Strike VI including representation from all four services and coalition forces from Canada and Denmark.

According to the command's exercise lead, the JFIIT team will provide JTAC and FO expertise to help CENTAF increase the level of joint training during this exercise.

"Being a part of the coach, teach and mentor process within this very diverse training audience is one small way how we can provide value added to an already exceptional air-to-ground training venue," said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Christopher Benfield, JFIIT operational lead at Atlantic Strike VI. "This is a very unique training opportunity where we can truly demonstrate a methodology that allows the soldiers, airmen and marines that are involved in the highly complex world of air-to-ground targeting to truly
master their warfighting skills prior to deployment into combat."

JFIIT will also demonstrate the Joint Windows Warfare Assessment Model (J-WINWAM) that captures various events as they happen for replay to ASOC participants as they conduct after action reviews (AAR) after each mission on procedural airspace control.

"Our goal is to show Air Combat Command (ACC), CENTAF and other participants in this exercise with the remarkable debrief capability that merges multiple radar feeds depicting airspace images, audio playback files from critical radio nets, and accurately displays maneuver forces into one common operational picture that can be used to show warfighters exactly what occurred during their previously executed mission," said Ron Arlund, a BAE contractor supporting JFIIT as a senior programmer.

"J-WINWAM provides an incredible capability that truly increases the situational understanding of participants as they discuss their previous mission, and most importantly, helps to improve the joint learning that takes place during these comprehensive training exercises."

Atlantic Strike VI also employs Remotely Operated Video Enhancement Receiver, or ROVER, information to enhance Air Force JTAC and Army FO training. JTACs and Army FOs will also train using ROVER to direct urban close-air support during convoy, cordon and search, counter sniper, counter ambush and counter improvised explosive device scenarios in both day and night operations to replicate the challenges faced by forces currently in theater.

"The experiences that the servicemembers will takeaway from this event will serve them well as they prepare to deploy," said Benfield. "This exercise will allow our warfighters to hone mission-essential JTAC and FO skills that they will use in Iraq and Afghanistan. What's accomplished here will immediately improve our air-to-ground combat effectiveness and reduce the potential of fratricide, and collateral damage on the battlefield."