News From USJFCOM: Joint fires team, Army training center leaps forward with joint integrated training

Army and Marine forward observers at the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, Calif., scan the valley for potential targets. (Photo: Casey Bain, JFIIT, USJFCOM)

Army and Marine forward observers at the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, Calif., scan the valley for potential targets. (Click on this official photo by Casey Bain, JFIIT, USJFCOM to download a larger version)

Joint fires team, Army training center leaps forward with joint integrated training

U.S. Joint Forces Command's joint fires professionals have brought key air-ground targeting training to soldiers undergoing training for global operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

By Casey Bain
Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team

(NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER, FT. IRWIN, Calif. – Jan. 31, 2008) – The Operations Group at the National Training Center (NTC), Ft. Irwin, Calif. has taken significant strides to fully integrate joint assets to enhance the training of Army brigade combat teams (BCT) during their training rotations in the California desert, according to senior Army leaders here at NTC.

Led by the Operations Group at NTC and supported by the Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.-based U.S. Joint Forces Command's (USJFCOM) Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team (JFIIT), the Ft. Hood, Texas-based 3rd BCT, 1st Infantry Division, represents the first unit this year to undergo a new element in their preparation for global operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Called joint air-ground integration (A-GI) situational training exercise (STX) or joint A-GI STX training. it allows warfighters at the BCT level and below to focus on key targeting training objectives that they will use when they deploy in combat. Objectives include: planning and executing the targeting process, conduct battle tracking, and command and control operations in three-dimensional battlespace.

"The Operations Group observer-controllers and planners have done great work to create many joint training opportunities here at the NTC," said Army Maj. Thomas Hansbarger, JFIIT operational lead at NTC. "NTC has taken on additional requirements to facilitate and integrate joint assets to achieve multiple service training objectives, and that benefits the entire force, especially those preparing to deploy."

3rd BCT leaders are saying NTC and JFIIT helped provide a realistic and rigorous joint training environment for Army units and other joint assets to better prepare them for the current operational environment and challenges they will face.

"This is the first time we've had a chance to train on some very unique missions with our joint brethren," said Army 1st Lt. Michael Guay, fire support officer, Alpha Troop, 6-4 Cavalry, 3rd BCT, 1st Infantry Division. "NTC has provided a great opportunity for our entire fire support team to come together and train. The whole team is participating in this fight and we're working together to get better every day…this has been a really positive experience."

The Joint A-GI STX training concept allows units to work together with many joint assets to hone their skills and battle drills within the targeting process. "We identified this training need from lessons learned from Iraq," said Army Lt. Col. Brad Stewart, chief of plans and operations, Operations Group, NTC. "This training helps the brigades to shorten their learning curve once they're in theater and ensures integration of joint assets so the commander can more efficiently leverage all capabilities on the battlefield."

The primary training audience at NTC may be the Army, but all services provide crucial assets to facilitate a joint training environment, and gain valuable experiences they can leverage when they deploy in theater.

"This is an excellent opportunity to bring together a comprehensive group of joint assets to train together for the reality that awaits them in theater," said Air Force Master Sgt. James Rigney, tactical air control party subject matter expert at JFIIT. "The airmen who train here with the Army will refine mission-essential skills that will help them accomplish their job once in country."

This training initiative demonstrates NTC's ability to integrate service specific training requirements into Army BCT's training rotations. "We've learned when we come together as a team and focus on crucial joint training requirements, we can help each other accomplish multiple service training objectives," said Stewart.