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1517PGS 4/13/98 8:58 PM Page 71 way) Air Component mond T. Con Ray Air Force ( S. U. Support to Joint Exercises By E U G E N E D. S A N TA R E L L I T he use of computer simula- past, computer simulation has become UFL has become the major opportunity tions to create the environ- a must. In fact, it may be the only way for the commander in chief, Combined ment for joint exercises has to represent the complexities of future Forces Command (CINC CFC) and increased dramatically over warfare. This article describes the de- component staffs to exercise critical the last decade. Since the Gulf War it velopment of simulation-driven exer- warfighting procedures and decision- has become apparent that a change in cises and offers some insights on the making tasks. In this exercise, the train- the dynamics of warfare is underway. integral role of air component involve- ing audience—CINC CFC and his staff; In what some describe as a revolution ment in joint training. the ground, maritime, air, and uncon- in military affairs, joint warfighting is ventional warfare component staffs; characterized by compressed planning Ulchi Focus Lens and a field Army and corps headquar- cycles, precision weapons, and vastly The largest, most complex com- ters—requires a complex infrastructure greater battlefield awareness. This puter simulation-driven exercise in the of computer simulations, temporary highly active, technology-driven at- world is known as Ulchi Focus Lens gaming centers, and communications mosphere creates unique challenges (UFL). With the temporary cessation of equipment and links to create a realis- for exercise planners. Unlike the the Team Spirit field training exercise, tic, reasonably detailed wartime envi- scripted, paper-driven exercises of the ronment. Given training objectives and the scale of the exercise, this infrastruc- Lieutenant General Eugene D. Santarelli, USAF, is vice ture poses a significant challenge to the commander, Pacific Air Forces. state of the art in simulations and joint Autumn/Winter 1997–98 / JFQ 71 Report Documentation Page Report Date Report Type Dates Covered (from... to) 1998 N/A - Title and Subtitle Contract Number Air Component Support to Joint Exercises Grant Number Program Element Number Author(s) Project Number Task Number Work Unit Number Performing Organization Name(s) and Address(es) Performing Organization Report Number National Defense University Institute for National Strategic Studies Washington D C 20319-5066 Sponsoring/Monitoring Agency Name(s) and Sponsor/Monitor’s Acronym(s) Address(es) Sponsor/Monitor’s Report Number(s) Distribution/Availability Statement Approved for public release, distribution unlimited Supplementary Notes The original document contains color images. Abstract Subject Terms Report Classification Classification of this page unclassified unclassified Classification of Abstract Limitation of Abstract unclassified UU Number of Pages 11 1517PGS 4/13/98 8:58 PM Page 72 n JFQ FORUM exercise planning. Currently, the joint training goals were not met, and the With all the promise of advanced sim- training confederation (see figure air component contribution to train- ulation technology, what led to this below), a collection of service- and ing was diluted. In UFL ’95, intelli- situation? As usual the devil was in gence reporting and the flow of in- the details. formation critical to the battle The air component difficulties in air component training and damage assessment process did not UFL ’95 stemmed from a lack of re- contributions to joint exercises take place. In this case CACC had sources for sufficient integration of reached a low point in UFL ’95 difficulty assessing the effectiveness simulation support into exercise plan- of support for CFC strategic priori- ning and execution. Unlike commands ties. After thousands of sorties, in both Europe and CONUS, little in agency-provided simulations, is the CACC simply was not getting feedback the way of manpower and funding has only means of creating a suitable exer- on the effectiveness of air forces in been available for simulation-based cise environment for UFL. supporting the joint campaign. training for air components in the Often overlooked in the world of Other anomalies caused added dif- Asia-Pacific. Consequently, in UFL ’95 simulations are the contributions of ser- ficulties. Combat results were implausi- the temporary air component simula- vice components to database develop- ble and disjointed. In some cases tion center established for the exercise ment, pre-exercise plans, response cell weapons performed brilliantly. In oth- at Osan Air Base, Korea, was ill augmentees, controllers, and pre-exer- ers significant capabilities were unrea- equipped and staffed. The equipment cise tests which are critical to creating sonably diminished. Rather than creat- on loan arrived late and was insuffi- an effective exercise environment for ing a realistic wartime environment, cient. Qualified simulation center aug- the joint force commander and other simulations gave CACC, CFC, and mar- mentees were in short supply. The out- service components in his command. itime and ground component com- come was ineffective control of the In UFL ’95, the air component manders fragmented, uneven views of simulations, lack of training realism, commander in Korea—the commander combat in general and—where the air and lost training opportunity. Pre-exer- of the Combined Air Component component was concerned—an inaccu- cise planning was one culprit. Command (CACC) who is dual-hatted rate portrayal of employing air forces. Development of simulation data- as commander, Seventh Air Force—dis- From the air component standpoint, bases was not coordinated with corre- covered that a greater level of effort the result was that neither JFC nor any sponding command, control, com- would be required to fully realize simu- service component had the opportu- puter, communication, and intelligence lation-driven joint exercises. nity to fully integrate air forces into the (C4I) systems databases. This was telling execution of the exercise scenario. for the air component since target data- UFL ’95 All participants were short bases are essential to battle damage as- Air component training and con- changed by the partial representation sessment, and intelligence combat as- tributions to joint exercises reached a of air component combat processes, sessment was insufficiently coordinated low point in UFL ’95. Primarily be- intelligence assessment processes, and with simulation databases. Accordingly, cause of failures in the exercise simula- staff-to-staff interactions, all of which targets struck in simulations did not tion system, major air component depended upon a balanced representa- conform to those in the air component tion of the warfighting environment. training audience warfighting plan. Ex- pected damage did not occur or was not reported, and rational adjustments to warfighting plans and intelligence estimates were made difficult if not im- JFC Exercise: Complex Simulation Environment possible. Unstructured development and testing of databases led to similar Component Role in Joint Training incongruities in other areas. This re- Exercise Simulation Environment sulted in further losses in effectiveness of air component interaction with the other components. Component Staff CACC; commander, Pacific Air Data Base Software Interactions Development Development Forces (PACAF); and the Chief of Staff Force Apportionment of the Air Force turned that situation Technical Pre-exercise around, thereby signalling a commit- Support Planning/Testing Planning and ment to joint training. The Chief of Execution Response Cell Technical Staff instructed the director of Model- Augmentees Training Intelligence, ing, Simulation, and Analysis at Head- Surveillance, and quarters, U.S. Air Force to gather a Reconnaissance team and implement a $10 million effort to remedy the shortfall. Their task was to design, man, equip, test, and 72 JFQ / Autumn/Winter 1997–98 1517PGS 4/13/98 8:59 PM Page 73 Santarelli U.S.and Japanese officers monitoring simulation,Keen Edge ’96. Ricardo) M. C. Air Force ( S. U. operate a new simulation center lo- Korea by developing physical facilities center and actual air component C4I cated at Osan Air Base in less than a and doing hands-on work to create system were established. One spin-off year with a virtual program manage- technical infrastructure at Osan. Fi- was improvement of the joint simula- ment office which included organiza- nally, contractors analyzed the UFL ’96 tion infrastructure in Korea. For the tions from around the world. exercise information flow and came up new Air Force simulation center to in- with a design to support technical sys- teroperate with the joint simulation Integration tems in the new facility. Attaining this system, aging communications net- The Air Staff program office led goal in under a year was difficult. work components were upgraded. The the overall effort, hired contractors to Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, PACAF, result was a much more capable, robust permanently operate a simulation cen- and CACC worked together with the exercise communication infrastructure ter at Osan, and developed a program Korea Battle Simulation Center (KBSC), for all participants. to select and train Air Reserve Compo- the CFC activity responsible for simu- With the installation of the simu- nent personnel to augment the center lation-driven exercises in the theater. lation infrastructure in Korea, the Air for UFL ’96. The Warrior Preparation Through video teleconferencing, Force team planned and implemented Center (WPC) contributed expertise planning conferences, in-process re- a pre-exercise test of simulations and from Einsiedlerhof, Germany, and the views, and thousands of e-mail mes- databases. One month before UFL ’96, Electronic Systems Center (ESC) at sages, an implementable plan took as the technical infrastructure was Hanscom Air Force Base tested reengi- shape. Simulation systems and commu- being established, exercise simulations neered systems. PACAF developed nications networking equipment were and actual databases were installed on technical options, coordinated real- delivered to Korea in record time. A WPC computer systems. In addition, world and simulation databases, de- building at Osan Air Base was remod- PACAF collaborated with the CACC signed and installed the simulation eled and the local infrastructure was staff and WPC to install a contingency local area network, and with the guid- expanded to include more than a hun- automated planning system—the air ance of the CACC staff acted as focal dred simulation workstations. Commu- component C4I system—on the WPC point for integrating technical plans nications links between the simulation simulation network. Subsequent test- and pre-exercise milestones. Planners ing of simulation systems was effective and specialists tied efforts together in and represented the first pre-test of Autumn/Winter 1997–98 / JFQ 73 1517PGS 4/13/98 8:59 PM Page 74 n JFQ FORUM support joint and air component train- Walker Battle ing in Korea, this effort led the Air Force Simulation Center. to reassess its support of simulation in the Pacific theater and to review the way it organizes for major joint exercises worldwide. The outcome of this re- assessment was the PACAF modeling and simulation program and key lessons about Air Force exercise support. Lessons As the Air Force implemented better support of UFL and established the air component simulation facility in Korea, a number of valuable lessons emerged about Air Force support of its Stikkel) air coSmimpuolnaetniotns inp ljaoninnte resx earncids etse.chni- D (Helene cbiea nths omrouusgth blye isntavtoiolvneedd i nin t hthe eJaFtCer etxo- O D ercise planning process on a daily basis as needed. Unless the subject area experts (on simulation planning, data- UFL simulation systems, databases, (AWSIM), used a newly developed inter- base development, simulation control, and C4I systems prior to the exercise. face between C4I and simulation sys- communications planning, pre-exer- The result of this effort was the es- tems, and implemented an ESC soft- cise training, and technical testing) are tablishment of the Korea Air Simula- ware solution that allowed simulations present and accountable to the air tion Center (KASC), a small, perma- to feed the exercise air picture to the component for routine involvement in nent site at Osan. Its staff was selected global command and control system. exercise planning, simulation-driven to cover the spectrum of expertise The performance of KASC during exercises are unlikely to accurately rep- needed to plan complex, simulation- UFL ’97 set a new standard for training resent air component capabilities for driven events. Experts in operations, in the exercise and was the proof of the JFC training audience. KASC suc- logistics, intelligence, databases, com- concept for the effort to establish a cess supports this assertion. munications technology, and com- simulation site in Korea. The KASC KASC has simulation experts in puter systems were identified in time role in a pre-exercise load test elimi- various areas who have vastly im- for UFL ’96. Although Murphy’s Law nated many technical problems plagu- proved the quality of air component haunted the exercise, CACC declared it ing previous exercises. More impor- play in exercises by being directly en- gaged with KBSC, the CFC exercise the Korea Air Simulation Center contributed to exercise simulation organization charged with overall planning responsibility for sim- objectives and laid the basis for success in UFL ’97 ulation-driven exercises in Korea. This engagement has run the gamut from the best air component simulation to tantly, the KASC effort improved the simulation control and communica- date. More importantly, KASC con- quality of training for all participants. tions architectures to database coordi- tributed significantly to achieving The quality and realism of theater mis- nation. This level of cooperation can- CINC CFC exercise objectives and laid sile defense play was vastly enhanced. not be achieved by long distance and the basis for greater success in UFL ’97. The responsiveness of air forces to JFC requires a minimum presence of air requirements was demonstrated more simulation experts in-theater to work Proof of Concept clearly than in previous exercises in with exercise simulation planners who, KASC contributed greatly to “flaw- which simulation anomalies inter- unlike single service training events, less simulation support” of UFL. With fered. The training audience executed are members of the JFC staff. KASC is a the Directorate of Command and Con- air operations in support of CINC goals good model for describing the mini- trol at Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; in an environment unmatched in exer- mum presence needed in-theater to PACAF; the Air Force Agency for Model- cises in terms of realism and employ- support this interaction. ing and Simulation (AFAMS); ESC; and ment of actual C4I systems. While WPC, KASC fielded a greatly improved challenges remain in providing simula- version of the air warfare simulation tion support to exercise intelligence processes, UFL was a solid success. Be- yond establishing a simulation site to 74 JFQ / Autumn/Winter 1997–98 1517PGS 4/13/98 8:59 PM Page 75 Santarelli Another issue is interaction among Air component play can be im- tribute augmentees to JFC staffs or members of the air simulation cadre proved with trained exercise simula- form the core of air component staffs. and air component commander’s staff. tion support and response cell aug- Lack of adequate simulation capabili- Daily interaction between KASC and mentees. In UFL ’96, 80 Reserve ties makes it difficult for PACAF air CACC staff at Osan Air Base has been component augmentees were trained components to produce realistic com- extremely effective in supporting train- for the Korea Air Simulation Center; mand and control training for wartime ing goals, developing simulation inter- during UFL ’97, 100 augmentees were roles. faces to C4I systems, and integrating involved. Trained in AWSIM and C4I, PACAF modeling and simulation simulations into real-world warfighting the Reservists enhanced the quality of will include support facilities at both processes. The presence of KASC at air play. If continued, air component Osan and Hickam Air Force Base. This Osan allowed more effective coordina- representation will be improved as program is designed to provide theater tion than in earlier events. The PACAF augmentees gain experience. air component staffs with the means of modeling and simulation program is Finally, exercises such as UFL merit conducting in-place computer-assisted patterned on the KASC formula of pres- dedicated support by Headquarters, exercises and training on real-world ence in the theater and routine engage- U.S. Air Force, major commands, and C4I systems. It will supply training ment of air simulation cadres in joint agencies responsible for developing Air events as small stand-alone air compo- exercise simulation planning. Force training simulations. During UFL nent exercises to reinforce core compe- ’97, ESC (the AWSIM developer) played tencies or a strengthened part of exist- a critical role in simula- ing joint exercises in Korea and PACAF established a modeling and tions. Having the soft- throughout PACOM. ware developer present While separate organizations, these simulation program to support exercise was invaluable in resolv- sites will be mutually supportive in requirements throughout the theater ing technical problems. terms of personnel, equipment, and ex- Similarly, assistance from pertise. For example, PACAF modeling both AFAMS and the Di- and simulation resources will be placed Key joint exercises should be sup- rectorate of Command and Control at against requirements generated by peak ported by an integrated Air Force cross- Headquarters, U.S. Air Force, brought events such as UFL. Key to the success functional team. Because major exer- expertise from across the service to bear of relatively small simulation sites will cise goals include testing joint doctrine on an exercise critical to the readiness be assistance from the new AFAMS and and emerging technology in addition of JFC in Korea. the Air Force ESC, the developer of exer- to battlestaff training, air components Based on the UFL experience, cise simulation system software. need more expertise than is commonly PACAF established a modeling and found on air component staffs. For ex- simulation program to support joint Air Force support for joint exer- ample, Air Force specialists on employ- and air component exercise require- cises in the Asia-Pacific region has ing unmanned aerial vehicles or other ments throughout the Pacific theater. come a long way since UFL ’95. Follow- systems not yet fielded may provide ing that exercise, a corporate Air Force key insights into capabilities, limita- Modeling and Simulation approach to simulation support of joint tions, and employment procedures PACAF modeling and simulation training events emerged to the benefit during the exercise. Having the best is designed to address the void in train- of all participants. Considerable technical expertise on scene is essential ing experienced by Pacific air compo- progress has been made in areas such as to correct assessment of employment nents. PACAF air components face sim- presentation of a common operational procedures and combat performance of ulation shortfalls identical to those picture driven by simulations. Theater new weapon systems. encountered in Korea. Key exercises in missile defense procedures are exercised Essential elements of the Air Force Japan such as Keen Edge and bilateral more realistically based upon improved simulation infrastructure are likely to training by the Japan Air Self Defense simulations. Promising long-term bene- function properly if established perma- Force and U.S. Air Force lack support fit, lessons from establishment of the nently at the exercise site. For example, for robust air component play. air component simulation capability in simulation communications links are Eleventh Air Force, the Alaskan air Korea are being applied to principal ex- far more likely to function well during component, faces a similar need for ercises across the joint exercise pro- an exercise if used and tested often. better simulation supported training gram. The outcome is certain to in- The same logic applies to automated and supplemental assistance with the crease readiness for JFC and air interface between simulations and air simulation component of joint exer- component staffs. JFQ component C4I systems. In-place sys- cises. Thirteenth Air Force, the PACOM tems will be far more reliable if techni- deployable air component staff for cal components and interfaces are used JTFs, lacks the simulation capability to only as an exercise approaches. train on the operational level. In wartime air component staffs con- Autumn/Winter 1997–98 / JFQ 75 1517PGS 4/13/98 8:59 PM Page 76 n JFQ FORUM PHOTO CAPTIONS F3228-95-SPT-14762097 U.S. Air Force (Raymond T. Conway) [none] F3702-96-SCN-0002 U.S. Air Force (C.M. Ricardo) U.S.and Japanese officers monitoring simulation, Keen Edge ’96. SN-1 DOD (Helene Stikkel) Walker Battle Simulation Center. PULL QUOTES air component training and contributions to joint exercises reached a low point in UFL ’95 [PAGE 2] the Korea Air Simulation Center contributed to exercise objectives and laid the basis for success in UFL ’97 [PAGE 5] PACAF established a modeling and simulation program to support exercise requirements throughout the theater [PAGE 8] 76 JFQ / Autumn/Winter 1997–98 1517PGS 4/13/98 8:59 PM Page 77 Santarelli Autumn/Winter 1997–98 / JFQ 77 1517PGS 4/13/98 8:59 PM Page 78 n JFQ FORUM 78 JFQ / Autumn/Winter 1997–98 1517PGS 4/13/98 8:59 PM Page 79 Santarelli Autumn/Winter 1997–98 / JFQ 79