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 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."
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