Preparing for Large-Force Exercises with Distributed Simulation: A Panel Presentation

Large Force Exercises such as Red Flag in the United States and Pitch Black in Australia require significant investments in resources and personnel. Participating units may spend months preparing for an LFE to ensure that warfighters receive the greatest training benefit from this investment. Local area training, however, cannot replicate the most demanding aspects of LFEs. Air Forces in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Australia have used distributed simulation training to complement live-fly exercises to prepare for LFEs. In this panel presentation, the speakers will describe how training exercises using distributed simulation were structured and conducted to meet specific training goals. The panel will conclude with presentations on how detailed analysis of training needs is necessary to structure simulator scenarios and how future training exercises could be made more effective. Presented at the European Simulation Interoperability Workshop, held in Ottawa, Canada, 2010. Prepared in cooperation with Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Fareham, UK; Swedish Defence Research Agency, Stockholm, Sweden; and Defence Science and Technology Organization, Fishermans Bend, Australia.