Officials implement new training model

29 Sep 2010 | Master Sgt. Angelita Colón-Francia

Given the complexities of today's combat missions and the inherent, life-threatening dangers faced by Airmen today, it is critical that Airmen receive effective training before engaging in battle. To provide Airmen with the most realistic training environment away from the battle space, Air Force leaders have implemented a new vision and governance structure for Modeling and Simulation (M&S).

Modeling and Simulation is one of the ways leaders are enabled to organize, train, educate, equip, and employ current and future air, space and cyberspace forces for a full range of operations.

"The new M&S governance structure is intended to enhance the framework in which M&S communities -- acquisition, analysis, planning, testing, experimentation, training, and education and formal training - work together, share information and create credible and reusable live and virtual representations of the battle space to meet Defense Department objectives," said Brig. Gen. William J. Bender, the director of Warfighter Systems Integration, Office of Information Dominance within the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.

A key objective of the new M&S structure is to foster improved cross-communication between M&S users.

"It is important that we look for cross-cutting opportunities to share information," said Maj. David Johnson, Air Force Modeling and Simulation Policy Division. "The new vision and governance structure will help (identify) capability gaps as well as opportunities to leverage synergies."

Modeling and Simulation is an enabler that can give decision makers the capability to create a virtual, joint battle space to train Airmen, test asset operability and make informed decisions about what equipment to buy.

"M&S helps leaders work on tactics, techniques and procedures," General Bender said. "We can model a campaign for 180 days of combat involving Airmen and (computer generated) entities to give us a sense of 'what if.' What if we had more F15s or F16s? What effect would that have in a major conflict? We can also look at force structure. How many squadrons do we need? How many and what kind of aircraft? What are the capabilities of those assets? What logistical support will we need? The use of M&S is broad."

A revision of Air Force Policy Directive 16-10 is in progress. The vision together with the updated AFPD and subordinate Air Force instructions will enhance the Air Force's ability to meet new challenges and assess complexities of a changing battle space.