Vanguard Magazine

T R A I N I N G & S I M U LAT I O N Q With current real-time operations focused on NATO's eastern flank, how do you think training simulation should evolve? Stephen Fritz-Millett (SFM) It already has, starting with Ex UR 2022 when the shift from DATE CAUCUSUS to DATE EUROPE was made. The exercise design, development, and delivery (E3D) process drew extensively from retired and serving CAF members with service in Latvia in support of NATO. As time goes on, we anticipate that training focus will further narrow to ensure the CAF are well posi- tioned to deal with current and emerging threats in support of the Government of Canada and NATO. Calian has invested significantly in establishing a virtual train- ing and experimentation network (VTEN) with the potential for extension within Canada (domestic operations) and to overseas locations. Efforts are underway to develop the in-house capability to employ a broader range of command, control, and information systems. In 2025, the Cana- dian Army Managed Readiness Plan major training event will mark the beginning of a cycle of three US Army Warfighters exer- cises which will see CAF Units participat- ing from home locations using US C2 and simulation systems to achieve connectivity. Jay Ballard (JB) The renewed focus on NATO's eastern flank will drive training requirements for western nations for some time. Making the scenario reflective of a NATO operation so that it is joint, and multinational will improve fidelity and im- mersion for the training audience, which enhances the transfer of training and makes the event more efficient to deliver. Q What challenges has the CAF faced in terms of workforce/funding/pace of training? (JB) The CAF is facing serious shortfalls in the workforce. Calian's training con- tracts with the DND provide an opportu- nity to capture the skills sets of CAF mem- bers that are leaving the forces, so they can still be used to help train the current force. We have seen an increase in training demands from the CAF since the end of COVID and based on the current world situation and Canada's closer alignment with NATO we expect to see continued strong training demand. Q SIM training in land and air opera- tions is well-developed. However, the naval part is not. Is the CAF working on incorporating a more robust Naval SIM piece to simulation, or is this done sepa- rately from regular exercises? (SFM) We are doing some work in sup- port of the Navy, mainly modelling for bridge staff navigation and port maneu- vering, but have yet to be requested to do true naval warfare simulation. Some naval-maritime has been included in cur- rent and past exercises including Ex VIGI- LANT Shield, an annual joint US-Canada exercise. Other capabilities represented in the synthetic environment on some of our exercises include Cyber, Space and SOF, their inclusion driven by the CAF's Pan- Domaine Force Employment Concept. (JB) Inside the simulation support con- tract, most training supports the army with air/land integration being a critical compo- nent of realistic joint operations. CAF sim- ulation does incorporate a little bit of naval operational play in the NORAD/CANR, US/Canada bi-national exercise Vigilant Shield. Calian is doing some development work with the RCN on 3-D ship modeling and we have developed a replenishment at sea (RAS) augmented reality (AR) simula- tor for training and rehearsals. Q Russian forces are currently using a vast array of newer UAS in Ukraine conflict, to devastating effect. Is suffi- cient intelligence being captured on these new weapons and is the CAF pushing for them to be incorporated on SIM? 16 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023 www.vanguardcanada.com Stephen Fritz-Millet Assistant Contract Wide Coordinator and Contract Site Lead, Canadian Army Simulation Centre Jay Ballard Military Training and Simulation Lead Participants from several nations undergoing complex exercise scenarios during Ex UNIFIED RESOLVE 2018. Photo: DND Image Technician, UNIFIED RESOLVE 2018.

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