RVTT readies JBER troops for convoy operations

by Airman 1st Class Ty-Rico Lea
JBER Public Affairs

6/26/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson offers extensive training facilities to develop the battle readiness of all branches on the installation, whether through hands-on or computer-based training.

One such facility is the Mission Training Complex, which includes digital and virtual training for combat operations. Within the purview of the MTC is the Reconfigurable Vehicle Tactical Trainer that re-creates deployed scenarios using a set of four vehicle simulators to practice combat convoy training.

The RVTT provides vehicle crews hands-on experience in a virtual environment, while allowing leaders the experience of commanding convoy operations.

"We provide a platform for active duty and reserve Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines to conduct convoy training in a virtual environment," said Karl Bruening, RVTT site manager. "The RVTT staff controls virtual forces during exercises as well as maintains the equipment performing preventative maintenance and corrective repairs to damaged equipment."

Although the RVTT program is not located directly within the MTC, the training for the program is conducted in the MCT using computer, virtual simulator training and command post operating equipment.

The RVTT has its own integrated command post, where the company commander can receive reports from his troops during a mission execution as well as issue guidance and orders, Bruening said.

Both facilities provide the space and equipment to perform and simulate scenarios specific to mission requirements.

"The MTC is designed to provide home-station operating capabilities for the units assigned here on JBER," said Russell Beauvais, MTC director. "Units conducting virtual convoy training in the RVTT practice reporting to their assigned command post as they would in a real-life tactical situation."

The MTC offers classroom instruction for the Army Battle Command System.

ABCS serves as the basis for live, virtual, constructive and gaming-based training. ABCS allows for a rapid dissemination of plans and orders and awareness of the tactical situation through the tactical internet during training and combat, Beauvais said.

The RVTT allows Soldiers to train in virtual environments similar to Afghanistan and other deployed locations with the use of animated 3D visualizations. Each vehicle simulator can be configured to act as a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle or Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck depending on the individual needs of the units, Bruening said.
"The RVTT staff work with military users to build tailored exercises to meet training requirements unique to each unit," Bruening said.

An example of RVTT training is route clearance, requiring Soldiers to properly react to improvised explosive devices along roads in a deployed environment. Another example is resupply delivery, where Soldiers transport supplies to forward operating bases while engaging enemies with suppressive fire.

"The training helps our Soldiers to stay up-to-date on the light infantry tactics," said Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Saldivar, a Dog Company, 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment light infantryman. "It really sharpens the fundamentals behind our training by being able to maneuver, communicate and knowing how to provide suppressive fire."
The RVTT staff control virtual forces during the exercises by adding and removing elements from the simulator experience.

"They are truly convenient, since the RVTT has training scenarios that we get to do when we're not actively in the field or deployed to either Joint readiness Training Center, [Fort Polk, La.], or an actual deployment overseas," Saldivar said.

D/3-509th Infantry has a heavy weapons platoon and an anti-armor platoon, and uses the RVTT four to five times a year, Saldivar said.

"The trainers with the MTC and RVTT allow us to go through a scenario, bring in the platoons and conduct an after-action report, look at the scenario from the beginning and end, and see where any mistakes were made within the spectrum of our standard-operating procedures," Saldivar said.