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| 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.
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