MBGIE 2005: the joint and combined multi-battle group inport exercise achieves new level of excellence in wargaming simulation

CHIPS, April-June, 2005 by Sharon Anderson

U.S. Navy and UK-coalition forces reached a new dimension in virtual wargaming around the globe when they replicated a composite warfighting scenario, Feb. 7-11, 2005, during the Joint and Combined Multi-Battle Group Inport Exercise (MBGIE). This was the first time joint (Army and Air Force) and coalition forces used the Navy's Continuous Training Environment infrastructure and Joint Forces Command's Joint Training and Experimentation Network for training.

The NCTE and JTEN enabled real-time battle simulation aboard ships and with Air Force and Army training simulators. The Joint Semi-Automated Forces and Battle Force Tactical Training systems realistically simulated at-sea warfighting conditions.

The 56-hour virtual exercise duplicated all the fierce intensity of warfare attaining an unprecedented level of reality in wargaming simulation, according to Capt. Mark Nesselrode, commanding officer of the Tactical Training Group Atlantic (TACTRAGRULANT) in Dam Neck, Va.

"It was a new experience for everyone involved. For example, in previous simulations, if someone ran out of fuel, that was OK, they could stay in the game. But in this exercise, people had to watch their fuel and speed. If they began to run low, we could restrict their speed, and they had to tell us how they were going to refuel to stay in the game," said Nesselrode.

Forces participating in the exercise included: in Norfolk, Va., Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group staff, embarked in USS Kearsarge; U.K. Marine Forces, representing the UK battle staff, embarked in USS Kearsarge; USS Anzio (CG 68); USS Roosevelt (DDG 80); USS Kearsarge (LHD 3); USS Ashland (LSD 48); USS Ponce (LPD 15); USS Normandy (CG 60); USS Gonzalez (DDG 66); USS Kauffman (FFG 59); USS Mitscher (DDG 57); USS Mahan (DDG 72); USS Hawes (FFG 53); USS Scranton (SSN 756); in Mayport, Fla., USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67); in Tinker, Ok., Air Force 552nd Operation Support Squadron; in Niantic, Conn., Air Force 103rd Air Control Squadron; in Ft. Bliss, Texas, Army 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade; and UK-coalition forces in Portsmouth, England, HMS Edinburgh and HMS Westminster.

UK Royal Navy Lt. Cmdr. Alasdair Ireland, staff operations officer for the UK maritime battle staff said the value of virtual training is centered in the opportunity to ensure seamless interoperability between partners--before a crisis occurs.

"This was the first time that our simulations have been integrated, and it has given us a higher level of understanding of how to work together," Ireland said.

According to Capt. Nesselrode, having British naval commanders participating provided valuable insight into the UK's rules of engagement.

"In the past, we would just act as if British forces were doing a certain part of the scenario, but it didn't happen that way in this exercise. We had to work within the UK's naval warfighting doc trine," said Nesselrode.

The MBGIE scenario encompassed continuous wartime planning and execution and allowed participants the opportunity to train at all levels. It promoted coordination between warfare commanders, executed joint and combined battle force operations, and familiarized crews with real-time joint and combined operations in both a high-tension and combat environment.

On the Kearsarge, watchstanders in the combat information center (CIC) and flag plot room were deeply engaged in the battle rhythm of the interactive scenario. Lt. Cmdr. Sean Anderson, assistant operations officer, and training and readiness officer, said the simulation duplicated the feeling of being underway.

"We are using SIPRNET, which is for U.S. forces only, datalinks, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), radio circuits, chat, satellite communications and the Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS) to communicate with the UK--the same networks and communications we would use in real combat," said Anderson.

It took two weeks to install the complex simulation technology on the USS Kearsarge, but the training benefits were enormous, according to Capt. Edward Barfield, commodore for Amphibious Squadron 8.

"Virtual training is cost effective and saves valuable time," said Barfield. "What is unique about MBGIE is that our joint and coalition forces were geographically dispersed worldwide. With the level of sophistication of this technology, we had all the urgency and reality of real combat. The systems we used are exactly the same systems we would use in warfare."

Expeditionary Strike Group Training involves the tactical operational levels of war. The commodore and Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) commander ensure their staffs' ability to utilize the organic forces of the ESG and collaborate effectively with other naval forces, joint forces and coalition partners. To achieve the high performance capabilities envisioned for the ESG more complex training is required.

Another advantage of simulation training involves a quality of life benefit for Sailors: Personnel do not have to leave home. On the Kearsarge (which deployed in support of the global war on terror in March), Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Chris Shields said virtual training gives him more time with his family.