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| LTJG Joe Campbell performs a surface scan at the Attack Center
One trainer at the Submarine Learning Facility, Norfolk, Va., during
Multi-Battle Group Inport Exercise (MBGIE). Campbell is assigned
to USS Scranton (SSN-756), the only submarine to participate in
the joint exercise. |
The fast-attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN-756) demonstrated that
submarines are an integral part of the Navy’s strike and battle
group framework during its participation in the Multi-Battle Group
Inport Exercise (MBGIE), Feb. 7-11.
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, and Scranton was a key element of the exercise’s
success.
“This exercise was fantastic training for the full crew,” said
LCDR John Newton, Scranton’s executive officer.
The MBGIE scenario
encompassed 56 hours of continuous wartime planning
and execution, and allowed participants the opportunity to train at
all levels,
promote coordination between warfare commanders, execute joint and
combined battle force operations, and familiarize their crews with
real-time joint and
combined operations in a high tension, combat environment.
“It’s
an example of network centric warfare, fighting a simulated regional
crisis,” Newton added.
Scranton’s crew utilized the Attack
Center One (AC1) trainer at the Submarine Learning Facility (SUBLRNFAC),
located a short distance from the pier where they were moored. AC1
is
configured to exercise submarine crews
in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and all aspects of
strike planning and execution, including Engagement Planning, Command
and Control, Mission Data Update (MDU) Operations, Strike Execution,
and Casualty Response.
SUBLRNFAC is the premier schoolhouse for exercising
submarines in Tomahawk strike warfare. The true distinction in SUBLRNFAC’s
ability to train the fleet lies in its ability to train submarine teams
in warfare command and control.
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| British Royal Navy Lt. Cmdr. James Buck, representing the UK
battle staff embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS
Kearsarge (LHD-3), participates in MBGIE. |
The “realism” of the trainer
made for a more realistic exercise for the Scranton team.
“It’s
an ‘around the clock’ exercise, with
full watch teams and reliefs,” Newton added. “Though nothing
can replace at-sea training, MBGIE provided an excellent opportunity
for focused training to meet a specific objective,” as well as
demonstrating the interoperability of the submarine force at all levels
of strike group work-up and deployment.
A diverse and joint exercise
like MBGIE allowed joint U.S. and coalition forces to better integrate
themselves into the battlespace, to become a much more effective fighting
force. This is especially crucial for the submarine force.
“Exercises
like MBGIE highlight the strengths of the submarine, showing the fleet
what submarines can bring to the table,” Newton
said.
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