TRAINING AND SIMULATION UPDATE

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12 Aug 20. USAF’s F-35A Lightning II aircraft join Red Flag-Alaska exercise. The US Air Force (USAF) 356th Fighter Squadron (FS) and 388th Fighter Wing’s (FW) F-35A Lightning II aircraft have participated in the Red Flag-Alaska (RF-A) exercise in the Alaskan skies. The new fifth-generation fighter aircraft is the first F-35 aircraft to fly in the US Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise.

18th Aggressor Squadron commander Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Kinsey said: “The purpose of RF-A is to provide training for the aircrew participating on the blue-air side in order to increase mission readiness and prepare them for combat operations.”

During the earlier Red Flag-Alaska exercises, other 354th FW forces participated to enhance their warfighting capabilities.

356th FS commander Lieutenant Colonel James Christensen said: “We have been flying F-35s for the past three months and this is the first Red Flag exercise for the 356th FS.

“The F-35 brings more information to the airspace than we have had in previous generations of aircraft. This Red Flag is really unique because we now have all fifth-generation fighters on the blue side. When we combine those forces together we can be more lethal.”

Following its delivery in April, the F-35 aeroplane pilots studied RF-A’s 77,000-square mile playground, also known as the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex (JPARC).

The training included basic fundamental skills-type progression from basic skills to advanced tactics. Red Flag-Alaska provides a realistic combat environment for personnel to be trained.

Christensen added: “They can simulate that environment here at Red Flag with the 353rd Combat Training Squadron (CTS) and in the JPARC.”

The 354th FW aims to encourage more F-35 fifth-generation aircraft from Pacific partners to join the fight. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

13 Aug 20. USAF’s B-1B Lancer trains with JASDF in Indo-Pacific. The US Air Force’s B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft has conducted a bilateral mission with Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and a joint mission with the US Navy in the Indo-Pacific region.

The 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron’s B-1 lancer launched from Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) and integrated with JASDF‘s eight F-2s and six F-15s in Japan.

The operation focused on improving the interoperability and readiness of the two nations’ forces.

37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Coleman said: “Opportunities to train alongside our joint partners and allies in the region are an invaluable experience for our Airmen.

“Not only are we able to highlight our continued commitment to our allies, but it also increases our ability to integrate with one another and strengthen our combined capabilities.”

The aircraft also conducted joint war training with the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in the Sea of Japan.

US Navy Task Force 70 air operations officer Commander Joshua Fagan said: “Integration with our joint partners is essential to ensuring joint force responsiveness and lethality and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The recent integrated training between our carrier strike group and Air Force B-1s is the latest example of how we are continually working to stay synched with all of our joint partners and ready to respond to any contingencies throughout the region.”

Aircrew of B-1B Lancer was deployed to Guam from Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, US, to conduct long-range, long-duration Bomber Task Force missions in a joint environment.

The crew trained with allies and partners to build interoperability and enhance their ability to support an open Indo-Pacific.

The interoperability training is designed to promote stability, security and integration for the USAF and partner forces. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

07 Aug 20. USAF 18th Wing hosts second iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner. The US Air Force’s (USAF) 18th Wing has hosted the second iteration of Exercise WestPac Rumrunner at Kadena Air Base in Japan.

This exercise allows personnel of the army, navy, marines and airforce to train and improve capabilities and joint interoperability using agile combat employment (ACE).

The training uses units and assets currently stationed or on temporary duty travel (TDY) in the Western Pacific area of responsibility.

During the second iteration, the airspace and base were integrated with combat search and rescue, tankers, fighters and E-3s.

Other participating units and assets included P-8s, F-16s and C-130Js from Yokota and Misawa.

The day-long exercise on 31 July provided multiple training opportunities, ranging from planning to the exercise completion.

Unlike most bases that allow operations only with whatever assets are available on location and do not allow practising tactics with several assets outside of their own, WestPac Rumrunner allowed this.

Exercise WestPac Rumrunner 18th Operations Group standardization and evaluation F-15C branch exercise director Captain Scott Addy said: “This exercise represents an evolution in how the 18th Wing trains with joint partners.

“Rumrunner is a unique exercise because it was a grassroots effort to strengthen Western Pacific joint forces as a cohesive fighting force capable of transiting vast distances, entering the same battlespace from dispersed locations and being capable to fight while remaining agile, flexible, autonomous, and lethal.”

During the exercise, the US Navy served as the primary maritime strike component and concluded the critical entire surface warfare kill chain.

The USAF provided air defence for the P-8 aircraft and personnel recovery assets.

The army did not participate in the tactical aspect of the mission. However, the large exercise allowed testing of systems integration.

Exercise WestPac Rumrunner from Misawa Air Base, Japan 13th Fighter Squadron lead planner Captain Adam Engelhardt said: “This exercise tested our ability to project air power across a vast distance and defend different aircraft performing multiple mission sets while mitigating the risks of Covid-19.

“Projecting combat air power has its own set of challenges and having the opportunity to practice that capability is crucial in enhancing our agile combat employment skills.” (Source: airforce-technology.com)

10 Aug 20. RIMPAC all at sea this year. RIMPAC, the US Navy Rim of the Pacific Exercise, will be held from 17-30 August in 2020, nearly two months later than normal. Due to COVID-19, the biennial exercise will only take place at sea this year, without the usual land based activities.

Billed as the world’s largest international maritime exercise, it will take place in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands. it will incorporate elements that will address multinational anti-submarine warfare, maritime intercept operations, and live-fire training events, among other cooperative training opportunities.

The Royal Australian Navy has already linked by with other national naval forces as a precursor to RIMPAC. HMA Ships Stuart and Sirius are exercising with RSS Supreme of the Republic of Singapore Navy, KDB Darulehsan of the Royal Brunei Navy, and USS Rafael Peralta of the US Navy. (Source: Armada)

11 Aug 20. RAN ships participate in multinational exercises ahead of RIMPCAC 2020. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has commenced multilateral exercises with ships from Singapore, Brunei and the US.

RAN’s HMA Ships Stuart and Sirius are taking part in exercises with the Singapore Navy’s RSS Supreme, Royal Brunei Navy’s KDB Darulehsan, and US Navy’s USS Rafael Peralta in the Pacific Ocean.

The multilateral exercises are expected to boost interoperability and prepare the participants for the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020, which will be held in Hawaii later this month and will see the participation of RAN.

Commander of the maritime task group in charge of the Australian ships Commodore Michael Harris said: “RAN’s relationships with Brunei, Singapore and the US are defined through strong personal and professional connections that are built from the ground up.

“To work with each other is to understand each other, not just professionally but also culturally and personally.

“The exercise reflects Australia’s commitment to working with our neighbours and the region.”

The exercise forms part of a regional deployment to perform exercises within Southeast Asia and Hawaii.

The five ships will carry out replenishments at sea, undertake maritime manoeuvres, as well as flying operations with their embarked helicopters and communications exercises.

Commanding Officer of Rafael Peralta Commander Chad Trubilla said: “Multilateral training opportunities such as this, and the larger Exercise Rim of the Pacific exercise strengthen partnerships and improve regional security by overcoming challenges together.

“But most importantly, the officers and crews on board all five ships will build confidence and lasting relationships as we take the field as teammates.”

In June, RAN’s upgraded Mark 15 Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) achieved initial operating capability (IOC) for HMAS Sydney, representing a key milestone. (Source: naval-technology.com)

10 Aug 20. BAE Systems Australia fatigue testing proves Hawk lead-in fighter good for decades. Structural testing carried out by BAE Systems Australia and Defence Science and Technology (DST) on the Royal Australian Air Force’s lead-in fighter trainer, the BAE Hawk, revealing the platform has completed the equivalent of 50,000 ‘flying’ hours as part of a major structural testing program in a joint project involving BAE Systems and DST Group.

The world-first test program was conducted at DST Group’s Fishermans Bend facility in Victoria where for 14 years a Hawk air frame was subjected to the range of loads that it would experience in actual flight, simulating real life fleet usage based on projected operational requirements.

The 33 Hawk aircraft operated by the Royal Australian Air Force have a clearance of 10,000 flying hours – 50,000 flying hours of structural testing is five times the current clearance of the most modern Hawks in air forces across the world and more than 10 times the current flying hours on most of the Australian fleet.

BAE Systems Australia director aircraft sustainment and training Andrew Chapman said, “The Full Scale Fatigue Test is a hugely important achievement for the Australian Lead-In Fighter program and was made possible by the collaboration of a small, dedicated team across many thousands of kilometres.”

Based on current usage, the fatigue life remaining in the Hawk airframe would allow the aircraft to continue operations well into the late 2040s.

The Hawk Lead-in Fighter (LIF) Full Scale Fatigue Test formed part of the original Australian Acquisition Contract for 33 Mk127 Aircraft and associated support in the late 1990s that saw the Mk127 enter into service in 2001.

The intention, as part of the Defence Standards, was to demonstrate the structural integrity of the airframe to five times its intended life. The Full-Scale Fatigue Test program began in February 2006 with the intention of demonstrating the structural integrity of a Hawk airframe to five times its intended life. The testing was completed on 5 June 2020.

A defence spokesperson said, “Defence is examining the range of requirements for future lead-in fighter training out to, nominally, 2050 under Project AIR 6002 Phase 1. The successful completion of the DST/BAe Systems full scale fatigue test provides assurance on the Hawk 127 airframe fatigue over that period.”

It involved a team of BAE Systems engineers in Brough, UK, working alongside the DSTG team in Melbourne and the BAE Systems Australia LIF team to ensure the successful completion of the program.

The BAE Systems Hawk jet trainer celebrates two decades of service to the RAAF in 2021. Using advanced airborne simulation technology, the Hawk is a flying classroom that can prepare student pilots to take the controls of a combat aircraft, including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The fleet of 33 aircraft have to date achieved around 122,000 hours of pilot training at RAAF Pearce in WA and RAAF Williamtown in NSW, where the aircraft are based. The Hawk fleet is supported by a supply chain of more than 180 Australian businesses, with a combined workforce of more than 1,000 people. (Source: Defence Connect)

07 Aug 20. Australia to acquire new anti-submarine training capability. Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has announced an $11m acquisition of the new Saab AUV62-AT, Intermediate Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target, which will enhance Australia’s anti-submarine warfighting capabilities.

Minister Reynolds highlighted that the Royal Australian Navy will partner with Saab Australia to bring the new capability into service, providing opportunities for local industry to contribute to the project.

Saab’s AUV62-AT is flexible, adaptable and can operate in several different modes, enabling it to comply with various sets of training regulations. It can generate realistic submarine noises and echoes, which are transmitted at a precise target strength and over clearly defined distances.

The payload module of the AUV62-AT includes a transducer tail, which mirrors the physical properties of a submarine so as to provide realistic training, including ASW torpedo firing. The tail incorporates transmitting and receiving transducers, so that training personnel can perform onboard analysis of the location of active sonars or attacking torpedoes.

Minister Reynolds said, “This advanced technology training target will simulate submarines and torpedos, providing highly realistic live training scenarios for submariners, aviators and surface vessel combat teams.”

Designed to simulate a library of threats, and compatible with torpedoes and sonar systems used by the majority of navies, the AUV62-AT is intended to develop operator and command team training at all levels. It also enables sonar and command system evaluation, and can train and evaluate an entire ASW force.

The AUV62-AT can replicate a range of submarines, both friend and foe, so that all personnel can maximise their training opportunities. The system has the flexibility to operate in exercises at any location, and can be launched and recovered from a ship, submarine or the shore.

The system can be retrieved independent of its deployment method if desirable. When operated from a ship, a custom-designed docking device is used for launch and recovery. The AUV62-AT is capable of deceiving any torpedo homing system, and the tail system provides forces with a highly qualified tactical training target.

“In the 2020 Force Structure Plan announced by the Prime Minister and I on July 1, we have set out plans to enhance our regional anti-submarine warfare capabilities, including the provision of training sub systems. This capability will improve the ADF’s anti-submarine warfare proficiencies for more complex operations and environments,” Minister Reynolds added. Australian companies, including locally-owned BlueZone Group, which has facilities in Newcastle, Perth and Melbourne, will have the opportunity to support and manage the operation, repair and maintenance of the AUV62-AT for Defence. (Source: Defence Connect)

07 Aug 20. USAF’s 36th CRG hosts exercise Machete Green at Northwest Field. The US Air Force’s (USAF) 36th Contingency Response Group (CRG) has hosted and completed exercise Machete Green (EMG) at Northwest Field, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

During the exercise, service members from the 36th CRG and the US Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 teamed to open an airfield in a hostile and contested environment.

The 36 CRG enabled 107 personnel to hone their training techniques and procedures, as well as sharpen their skill sets.

The EMG focused on 85 tactical objectives, including airfield survey, setting up defensive-fighting positions and temporary command centre.

Once the CRG’s objectives concluded, the team also trained the airfield withdrawal.

USAF 36th CRG commander Colonel Eric Schmidt said: “This gives us an opportunity to come together and go through our mission sets.

“It’s an opportunity to get some muscle movements on the exercise itself, which would be an airbase opening in a contested environment.

“We are highly specialised. All of these service members are getting an opportunity to do what they do because everyone brings something different to the fight.”

Opening an airbase allows the practice of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) that are employed in diverse environments.

Completion of the exercise helped personnel to improve sharing procedures with partners and allies, ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Schmidt added: “Currently, due to things outside our control, we have to exercise internally, but when restrictions ease in the future, we are looking to partner and build stronger relationships with our host-nation partners.

“One of the CRG’s primary goals is to bring the Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) into these exercises.”

During the next exercise, the CRG commander plans to focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster response to provide personnel with an opportunity to work and train together. (Source: airforce-technology.com)