The Distributed Training Operations Center (DTOC) in central Iowa is changing the way the Air National Guard delivers live, virtual, constructive (LVC) training — and employees from HII’s Mission Technologies division are at the forefront.

Located on the Des Moines Air National Guard base, the DTOC is used by the 132d Combat Training Squadron (132d CTS) to conduct LVC training through Distributed Mission Operations (DMO), connecting 94 simulation sites across the country.

Historically, the DTOC has served U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard flying units by providing various elements needed to conduct LVC training between interconnected simulators with geographically dispersed units for a diverse set of missions. Recently, this mission was expanded to include joint LVC training.

HII Experienced Team Created Simulations and Scenarios

“Our team creates an environment complete with a realistic scenario run by tactically proficient and experienced role players who immerse the supported unit in a vivid combat simulation,” said Nick Turner, a former U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E helicopter pilot who now serves as a program manager in Mission Technologies.

“Training evolved from primarily Air National Guard with limited U.S. Army and U.S. Navy participation, to include U.S. Marine Corps units,” said Turner, who was hired three years ago as HII’s Marine Corps liaison, responsible for reaching out to Marine Corps units.

Turner and his team of HII employees Chip Jacoby, Zach Mullen, Tanner Clark have since been intensely focused on expanding LVC training to address some of the Marine Corps’ most pressing needs, leveraging their previous military experience and connections to come up with a solution offering.

“We look for gaps in the simulation world of the Marine Corps training pipeline and found that one of the easiest places to focus on was Marine Corps Command and Control (C2) because the Marines did not have a LVC simulation training pipeline but had a significant desire and need,” Turner said. The team’s efforts paid off—in fact, far more than they could have realized.

The Marine Air Control Squadrons (MACS) and Marine Air Support Squadrons (MASS) needed a more robust way to train Tactical Air Traffic Control personnel on a daily basis without the significant efforts required in deploying to a training area and launching dozens of aircraft to control in a tactical scenario.

The HII team created simulations and scenarios to train the controllers using DMO, providing a capability the units never had previously.

“Instructors would typically have to find creative ways to do in-house training,” Jacoby said. “Now the HII team does everything for them. This allows them to no-kidding just instruct and evaluate.”

Training includes both manned and unmanned scenarios.

Mission Success  

In four months, the HII team has completed numerous training events with the units.

“It has been a game-changer for them when you’re talking about tactical readiness and proficiency,” Jacoby said. “We’ve made some massive gains in the last few months.”

In one instance, MASS-3 hosted a course which was the first of its kind, certifying U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officers who operate the PATRIOT systems around the world. The Air National Guard and HII personnel provided both air battle managers and pilot subject matter experts (SMEs) and served as the connection hub for all three branches in the Joint Virtual Training Environment—a high-fidelity, government-owned modeling and simulation environment.

The activity could not have occurred without HII providing the technical know-how and in at least one case, the software to make the strategic-level training possible, according to Jacoby. Using the JBUS software – an HII-developed, government-owned gateway and protocol translation service — coupled with the DTOC’s SMEs and mature environment allowed the Army, Marine Corps and Air Guard to seamlessly train in a joint simulated event.

Customer Response

1st Lt. Jake Olson, former DTOC Marine Liaison Officer with the 132d CTS, highlighted the training success in a parting email during his transition to a civilian job.

“Over the past two months, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with airmen, soldiers and civilian staff,” Olson said. “The work being accomplished here is truly remarkable, and, from my perspective, the DTOC is poised to redefine C3 training standards for both the Air Force and Marine Corps.”

“My unit, has experienced a dramatic increase in training and readiness, executing over 500 additional training events since the implementation of ARCNET-1 (dedicated DTOC connection) in May,” Olson continued. “The positive impact on MASS-3 Marines has been so profound that other MACS units are actively seeking to join us to replicate these training opportunities.”

He added that to achieve the necessary level of lethality and operational proficiency, consistent practice is imperative. “The DTOC has provided my unit with an unparalleled opportunity to cultivate these critical skills,” he said.

HII Leadership Perspective

John Scorsone, operations manager with HII’s Global Security group, oversees the HII Des Moines team. He reiterated the company’s experience in LVC training. “HII is a dominant force in distributed training for U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy,” he said. “We are totally focused on the warfighter’s mission as we expand training opportunities to include USMC missions.”

When asked about the secret to their success, Turner said, “Chip and I have 40-plus years of intimate knowledge of Marines Corps aviation. When you talk about aviation, you’re not just talking about airplanes and helicopters that fly, but also the supporting entities that are required for a Marine aviation unit to be successful and tactically relevant. All these elements require care and training.”

Having served previously with the units, including deployments, has allowed the HII team members to have a heightened awareness as to what the problem sets are. In addition, Turner believes their ability to tap into previous relationships with Marines with whom they have served is advantageous too as it shortens the amount of coordination time. “We can pick up the phone and know who to call almost instantly,” he said.

The future of Air National Guard and Marine Corps training is expanding rapidly with potential to include participation from the joint force and other service branches. Turner is optimistic and foresees an even bigger role for HII in the future.

“This is just the beginning,” he said.