The Source for Navy News
Navy’s First Multi-Battle Group In Port Exercise Underway
Story Number: NNS040227-03
Release Date: 2/27/2004 10:20:00 AM
By Journalist 1st Class (SW) McClain Shewman, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Navy’s first Multiple Battle Group In Port Exercise (MBGIE) is underway through Feb. 27. MBGIE, which is organized by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet (COMTHIRDFLT), is taking place concurrently in three different fleet concentration areas: San Diego, Norfolk and the Pacific Northwest locations of Bremerton and Everett, Wash.
The main objective of MBGIE is to demonstrate the capability of operational training from coast to coast, something the Navy has never done before. In fact, MBGIE brings many firsts to the Navy. Specifically, it marks the first time multiple strike groups are training via the Navy’s distributed training network. The distributed training network is a combination of networks that provide operational and tactical training in a realistic synthetic environment to multiple carrier strike groups (CSG) while in port.
“The goal of this specific MBGIE, tactically and operationally, is to make sure that we are providing battle force training,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Misiewicz, COMTHIRDFLT coordinator for MBGIE. “The training is with more than just one strike group. It’s multiple strike groups, because that’s the way we’re going to fight.”
In order for an undertaking of this magnitude to be successful, it requires months of planning and preparation.
“The task is to be able to coordinate the multitude of schedules and then overcome many of the technical hurdles in order to allow the ships to link up and play simultaneously,” said Misiewicz. “There are so many moving parts. But that’s why we’ve incorporated a lot of expertise and engineering support.”
There is a good deal of incentive for the Navy to practice these exercises while ships are in port. In a real-world scenario, it’s typically not possible to simultaneously test the capabilities of three different CSGs located in different areas, in accord.
“It would be very expensive to send a lot of ships out to train,” said Misiewicz. “In conjunction with our normal training cycle, this exercise allows the ships, specifically the strike groups, to practice their standard operating procedures and pre-planned responses prior to going out to sea.”
The MBGIE is comprised of the USS Harry Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Strike Group staff, along with a cruiser and a destroyer from the Truman Strike Group; two Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) Carrier Strike Group staffs and crews from USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70); and two cruisers and four destroyers also from PACFLT. The exercise also includes one submarine from each coast, USS Hampton (SSN 767) and USS Helena (SSN 725).
Although the focus of the training is primarily for the strike group staffs, their warfare commanders and Sailors on the deckplates will get an equal share of training during the exercise.
“The deckplate Sailors are certainly involved in providing the connectivity, the communications and the combat systems interaction and the link piece so that the decision makers can make calls based on realistic information,” said Arnold. “There’s operator training going on at the same time as the higher level training for the staffs."
The exercise is scheduled by Fleet Forces Command, with COMTHIRDFLT assuming the role of overall coordinator with assistance from Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, Naval Warfare Development Center, Tactical Training Group Pacific and Tactical Training Group Atlantic.
For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c3f.
E-mail this story to a friend | Send a comment about this story
Norfolk Ships Participate in Multi-Battle Group In Port Exercise - 2/24/2004
|
All Any Exact |
|
