Congressman J. Randy Forbes, Founder and Co-chairman        
Congressman Solomon Ortiz, Co-chairman

May 2008
 

Navy Admiral Timothy Keating Praises Staff Training Exercise Using M&S Technology

Navy Admiral Timothy Keating praised a successful U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) staff training exercise earlier this month that used M&S technology to test their ability to work as a team in response to threats and crises. More than 3000 members of the PACOM headquarters underwent components of the weeklong training, named Terminal Fury.

“It was a fantastic week of learning,” said Air Force Col. Mike Duvall, the command’s exercises and training director. “It’s amazing to me that we are able to, in one exercise, play and practice and become ready to fight in all spectrums. This involves almost every imaginable type of warfighting capability that’s out there. It is literally underwater, on water, over water, airspace, land, cyber."

The training operations, using computer models and simulation, lasted 24 hours a day for the duration of the week and reflected real-world scenarios and potential crises the command could face.

“The span of operations – intel, strategy, plans, policy, equipment, international and interagency involvement – is broader for this exercise than in any other exercise we do,” said Admiral Keating. “It reflects the possibility, if not the probability … that any plan we would execute in the real world would be similarly broad and comprehensive and challenging."

For more information on PACOM and their uses of M&S technology, click here.

Photo: ADMIRAL TIMOTHY J. KEATING, USN Commander, U.S. Pacific Command .

Pulse!! Brings Medicine and Virtual Reality Together

Pulse!!, the Virtual Learning Lab based out of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, has brought together teams of medical experts and electronic game developers to produce a virtual environment replicating real-world clinical settings through Modeling and Simulation technology.  Military medical care providers will use the virtual platform to practice many real life scenarios. Pulse!! will facilitate accelerated diagnosis and treatment of wounds, diseases, and other conditions that occur as a result of rapid changes in weapon development and biological threats. Pulse!! has been developed since March 2005 by Dr. Claudia L. McDonald, Associate Vice President for Special Projects at A&M-Corpus Christi.

To read more about the Pulse!! program, visit their Web site.

The Way Ahead for DoD M&S: Strategic Vision for DoD Modeling and Simulation signed by M&S Steering Committee

By Kriya Kaping

The Department of Defense (DoD) has undertaken a major restructuring of its Modeling and Simulation (M&S) management structure and is now employing a “board of directors” approach to managing its M&S activities. The board, known as the M&S Steering Committee, consists of the leads for the 4 services, the Joint Staff, and six newly established Communities enabled by M&S composed around distinctive M&S issue areas: acquisition, analysis, experimentation, planning, testing, and training. Initial activities include improved visibility and collaboration across communities and a reduction in unnecessary duplication. Another focus is improving the Department’s interactions between DoD and other government agencies, international partners, industry, and academia. 

To support this newly developed management structure, the Department is implementing its “Strategic Vision for DoD Modeling and Simulation”. This vision is to “Empower DoD with modeling and simulation capabilities that effectively and efficiently support the full spectrum of the Department’s activities and operations.” Click here to continue reading.

If you would like to submit an article to be including in the M&S Caucus Newsletter, please email your article to the Caucus.

The Department of Defense Announces Winners for Annual Modeling and Simulation Awards

The Department of Defense recently selected seven winners for the 10th Annual DoD Modeling and Simulation Awards for Excellence, and one winner for the DoD Modeling and Simulation Award for Training. The annual awards recognize DoD individuals and organizations for achievement in the development of M&S capabilities.

The U.S. Air Force Distributed Mission Operations Center (DMOC) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico was awarded the DoD M&S Award for Training for its significant advancements in exercise delivery and combat training.

Winners of the DoD M&S Award for Excellence include:

▪ The Army’s Battle Command Training Branch, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security, Headquarters, III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas

▪ Army’s Operational Test Command and the Research, Development, and Engineering Command at Fort Hood, Texas

▪ Navy’s Verification, Validation, and Accreditation Template Team at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center at San Diego, California

▪ Air Force’s Homeland Air and Cruise Missile Defense Analysis Team in Washington, D.C.

▪ Air Force’s DoD Air and Space Natural Environmental Executive Agent Team in Washington, D.C.

▪ Air Force’s 705th Combat Training Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico

▪ Navy Cmdr. Brett M. Pierson, Joint Staff, J-8 in Washington, D.C.

Detailed information on the these recipients can be found here. The awards will be presented to winners at the DoD Modeling and Simulation Conference on May 11th in Orlando, Florida.

Caucus Members Send Letter on Behalf of M&S Grants Program

Congressman Forbes (VA-04) and Congressman Solomon Ortiz (33-03), co-Chairman of the M&S Caucus, and Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Congressman Tom Feeney (FL-24), and Congresswoman Thelma Drake (VA-02), members of the M&S Caucus, recently signed a letter to House Conferees on the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007, H.R. 4137, in support of a modeling and simulation grant program, H.R. 4165.

Congressman Scott introduced H.R. 4165, which provides grants to encourage and enhance the study of modeling and simulation (M&S) at institutions of higher education. This competitive grant program will provide a critical source of funding for colleges and universities that want to expand and improve their Modeling and Simulation programs. The grant will also provide important seed money for colleges and universities that do not have a program to establish a Modeling and Simulation program. 

Members of the M&S Caucus who have co-sponsored H.R. 4165 are Chairman Rep. Randy Forbes (VA-04), co-Chairman Rep. Solomon Ortiz (TX-27), Rep. Thelma Drake (VA-02), Rep. Tom Feeney (FL-24), and Rep. Ric Keller (FL-08).

M&S Caucus Member Spotlight

Congressman Robert J. Wittman

Congressional District:  Virginia - 1st District
 

Hometown:  Montross, Virginia
 

Time in Congress:  5 months
 

Committee Assignments:  House Armed Services Committee and Natural Resources Committee

Government M&S in his district:  Dahlgren, VA: missile defense modeling; Quantico, VA: Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) modeling; Newport News, VA: Shipbuilding modeling

Rep. Wittman on M&S: “I believe that the Modeling and Simulation Industry is very important to our national security. It plays a crucial role in our strategic and tactical analysis of new and emerging technologies within the larger defense industry. The advancement of the M & S Industry holds great promise for the development of new weapons and weapons systems that will allow America to maintain its safety and security at both home and abroad. Moreover, it will allow us to meet our strategic and tactical goals in a very efficient and safe way, with lower costs and reduced pressure on limited resources.”

To visit Rep. Wittman's website, go to http://www.wittman.house.gov/.

Upcoming Events

2008 Training & Simulation Industry Symposium
The Rosen Centre Hotel
Orlando, FL
June 18 - 19, 2008

The symposium will provide an opportunity to hear the latest requirements and learn about procurement opportunities from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force for preeminent training and simulation opportunities. Presentations will identify near-term and mid-term requirements and acquisition strategies. Click here for more information and a full agenda.
 

16th Annual Expeditionary Warfare Wargame
Alfred M. Gray Marine Corps Research Center
Quantico, VA

June 25 - 25, 2008
 

For more information on the annual event, including a full  agenda, click here.

M&S Must Reads

Gaming maximizes Army training resources
April 28, 2008
Army Times
A team of advisers listens to instructions about the pending mission, where to go and what to expect winding through Baghdad’s streets. Contact with insurgents is likely, so the team is reminded of basic techniques: stay focused, stay alert and talk to each other. Click here to read more.

Training Readiness Proponent
March 3, 2008

Military Training Technology Magazine
In this interview with Military Training Technology magazine, Daniel Gardner, Director of the Readiness and Training, Policy and Program Directorate, discuss training for new weapon and defense systems. Click here to read more.

Arthur M. Reed: In My Own Words

September 2007

Seapower

In this article in Seapower magazine, Arthur M. Reed, Senior Scientist at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division discusses his new position, empowering younger engineers, and working on the DDG 1000 next-generation destroyer. Click here to read more.

If you have news articles on M&S that you would like to have featured in a future issue of the Modeling and Simulation Newsletter, please email them to the M&S Newsletter.

Modeling & Simulation e-newsletter

Join the Modeling and Simulation Caucus email newsletter list by signing up online at http://randyforbes.house.gov/mscaucus. In addition, you can stay informed by reading past issues online.

If your organization would like to be featured in a future issue of the Modeling and Simulation Government Highlight section, please email background information and photos to the M&S Newsletter.