Air Force officials reviewing command, control training infrastructure

8/16/2010 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- Air Force officials awarded an independent-study contract to DP Technology Services Inc., Aug. 16, for studying the development of an advanced operational-level C2, or command and control, training campus.

"This study is the first step in developing a solution which will benefit Air Force C2 in the future," said Lt. Gen. William Rew, vice commander of Air Combat Command. "It will eliminate current stovepipe training and provide better, fully-integrated C2 support for combatant commanders."

General Rew directed officials at the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to formerly conduct a study addressing training gaps and standardization for air, space and cyberspace C2 warfighters and standup of a C2 campus. The integrated campus will consolidate formal training for component-numbered Air Forces, air and space operations centers and Air Force forces staffs.

"Lack of standardization and integrated training has led to an inconsistent knowledge base for C2 warfighters," said Maj. Gen. Stanley Kresge, USAFWC commander. "Consolidating training in one location will leverage cross-functional expertise and provide a dedicated training venue standardized across the Air Force."

The contractor will produce a comprehensive report and presentation for senior Air Force leaders addressing future integration of air, space and cyberspace training. It will provide recommendations for C-NAF, AOC and AFFOR staff training requirements at all levels -- initial and mission qualification, continuation, advanced and functional. The study also will address senior leader C2 training requirements.

"Ideally, co-locating Air Force air, space and cyber C2 training at Hurlburt Field, Fla., will enable critical cross-flow of expertise to fully integrate our USAF's capabilities," said General Kresge. "In addition, it will enable advanced integrated training and lessons learned."

Key to this study will be ACC's 505th Command and Control Wing at Hurlburt Field. This USAFWC organization's mission directive, to "Improve warfighter capability through command and control testing, tactics development and training," was published in April.

The wing, through a multi-disciplinary approach, provides training and development of tactics, techniques and procedures for C-NAF headquarters; testing and training of key C2 and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; and comprehensive, realistic, cutting-edge operational and tactical-level live, virtual and constructive exercises for joint and coalition forces. This makes the 505th CCW the foundation for Air Force operational C2 development and will play a vital role in developing future C2 professionals.

Officials expect the report and presentation to be ready for a senior-level decision briefing in January. The value of the contract was not disclosed.