Marines Put ONR's Augmented Reality System to the Test with Live-Fire Testing

By Katherine H. Crawford, Office of Naval Research Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- Marines enrolled in the Infantry Officer Course were able to use Office of Naval Research (ONR)-developed augmented reality technology for the first time as part of live-fire training exercises, ONR officials announced Aug. 31.

The Marines, as part of the Infantry Officer Course, had the opportunity to try out ONR's Augmented Immersive Team Trainer (AITT) system Aug. 5-6 at a test range on the southern edge of Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. The AITT system-which is comprised of a laptop, software and battery pack, and a helmet-mounted display-can support a wide array of live, virtual and cutting-edge training scenarios. It uses augmented reality, which means that virtual objects are superimposed onto a real environment-like the yellow first-down lines added to television broadcasts of football games for the benefit of viewers at home. This differs from virtual reality, which is a wholly computer-generated environment in which users immerse themselves.

"The AITT system is like the Marine Corps itself: lean, agile and adaptable," said Brig. Gen. Julian Alford, vice chief of naval research and commanding general of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. "This affordable lightweight system can be taken anywhere-turning any environment into a training ground-and could be used to prepare Marines for real-world situations and environments they will face."

The field portion of the "call-for-fire" training included aircraft and munitions, which are costly and time-consuming to set up, staff and equip, but an important part of the training experience for the student officers. The wait time for a test range can be six to 12 months, rain can cancel the testing and it can be difficult to get assets in place, since equipment can break down.

The AITT completely bypasses these challenges by using virtual ground vehicles, aircraft and munitions.

"The system makes the training easier and eliminates the maintenance issues or weather-related restrictions that can pare down or cancel training," said Maj. George Flynn, director of the Infantry Officer Course. "For instance, this system can use virtual air support, so even if it's raining, the students can still be training, getting confidence and learning the points of employing aviation assets."

"The system will enable the student officers to use virtual assets to complement live training or to get additional practice repetitions without having to use live assets," said Dr. Peter Squire, a program officer with ONR's Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism Department who's leading the AITT effort. "And instead of using your imagination, now you can see virtual effects from the blasts, like smoke."

Flynn emphasized that seeing virtual effects makes it much easier for the student to picture the situation. "Rather than having the instructor paint a picture to the student without anything happening, now the student can get a visual of the aircraft they've been controlling in support of a maneuver on the deck," he said. Flynn envisioned more potential uses for AITT in the future: "For example, as part of a company training event, a rifle platoon could be conducting a live-fire attack on a range at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, while the Fire Support Team could be on the hill practicing employing fires in support of maneuver, using virtual effects."

The AITT program-part of the ONR Capable Manpower Future Naval Capability-will wrap up its fifth and final year with a large-scale demonstration at Quantico, scheduled for October. Pending the results of a Marine Corps assessment in October, the program will transition to the Marine Corps Program Manager for Training Systems for further testing and development.

NAVSUP FLC Sigonella Opens Portable Fuel Testing Laboratory at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti

By Shannon Haney, NAVSUP FLC Sigonella

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (NNS) -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella opened a portable fuel testing laboratory at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, in August to ensure quality assurance of fuel and support the command's transition to an enduring base.

The new fuel testing laboratory will enable U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) aircraft to continue to safely operate in the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) areas of responsibility (AORs) from the strategically located camp.

In October of 2014, Camp Lemonnier began the transition from an expeditionary site to an 'enduring' base. This reclassification of the camp to a more long-term facility changed the criteria for fuel testing at the camp. Additionally, the existing laboratory no longer met the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) manual requirements and camp fire and safety personnel deemed it unsafe for use due to possible health risks to lab personnel.

Since the announcement of reclassification to an enduring base, the camp was able to use laboratory services from a nearby refinery to test fuel as a short term solution.

NAVSUP FLC Sigonella, with the help of their Service Control Point, NAVSUP-Energy, identified a usable portable fuel testing laboratory in Okinawa, Japan, that would provide them with the organic asset they needed.

The laboratory was airlifted from Okinawa and arrived at Camp Lemonnier on July 11. Upon arrival, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) personnel in Djibouti worked tirelessly to hook up power and get the facility up and running.

The portable fuel testing laboratory was pronounced fully operational on Aug. 21. Camp personnel are now testing fuel on a daily basis, issuing quality fuel, and ensuring safety for flight for all its customers.

A long term solution, pending construction completion of new fuel facility through Military Construction (MILCON) is expected to be completed in 2019. This new facility is necessary in order to maintain the organic capability to test fuel on site. Until then, Camp Lemonnier personnel will use the portable fuel testing laboratory.

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti is a strategic hub to protect U.S.' interests within the AFRICOM and CENTCOM AORs and is a primary stop to fuel transient U.S. and NATO aircraft. The camp issues more than thirteen million U.S. gallons of Jet A-1 fuel in support of more than 10,000 missions per year. Fuel operations at Camp Lemonnier are currently executed under the camp's Base Operating Support contract and managed by a Navy Supply Corps officer.

NAVSUP FLC Sigonella, one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support (GLS), provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and allied forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of more than 6,500 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

Reservists train with JTAC and Latvian military

by Capt. Denise Haeussler
442d Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/1/2015 - Adazi Range, Latvia -- While looking out over what was once a Russian tank training field, allied service members now see a place to train together.

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron from Oklahoma City, Okla., and the Combat Readiness Training Center from Alpena, Mich., both Air National Guard units, trained with the Latvian Military Infantry on French Hill at the Adazi Range in Latvia Aug. 24. All units worked with two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 442d Fighter Wing from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., using close air support.

The training is part of Operation Atlantic Resolve where the U.S. military is training with NATO allies.

"We are simulating being out in the field under attack where close air support is needed," said Master Sgt. Edgar Rodriguez, a JTAC from the 146th ASOS. "We also practice being on the offensive with CAS, such as scoping out an enemy location and using CAS to help the ground troops."

Rodriguez says everyone benefits from the training because it gives all involved a chance to see each other's perspective. The Latvian military is able to learn from the JTACs while the JTACs understand what the Latvians are training for.

"We train at home and go to the fight," said Rodriguez. "For the Latvians, their biggest threat is military combat operations and the fight is in their backyard.  This is not something we would normally see at our home."

After the JTAC ground troops trained in a few scenarios with the Latvians, CAS was called in and the A-10s came screaming overhead dropping flares.

"This is a great experience for the Latvian military because we can train with the A-10s which are the best in CAS," said Sgt. Juris Simanis of the Latvian military. "We like having them on our range because training with them helps us improve our skills and standard operating procedures. We don't have our own attack aircraft and it's always a great experience to work with U.S. forces."

Rodrigues said the JTAC's will continue to work with the Latvian military while using the A-10s s for the duration of OAR as they continue the partnership and relationship with NATO allies.

Reservists make history

by Capt. Denise Haeussler
442d Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/1/2015 - Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia --  It's not every day that Air Force Reservists makes history, but it happened recently.

Two A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots with the 303d Fighter Squadron from the 442d Fighter Wing out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. landed at Lielvarde Air Base in Latvia. It was the first ever U.S. fighter aircraft to land.

In the past, C-130 Hercules have landed there, and F-16 Falcons have done touch and goes, but this was the first fighter landing.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be the first ever fighter pilot to land here and be standing on the deck of this airfield," said Maj. Rick Mitchell, a 303d FS A-10 pilot who was the first to land.  "There are many qualified pilots to complete this mission and me and Capt. Sven Loeffler were the lucky ones chosen. It is awesome to be a part of this history."

This event is part of Operation Atlantic Resolve that the 442d FW is currently participating in to further strengthen relations and partnerships with European allies. The U.S. is committed to ongoing reassurance, security and safety efforts to NATO partners in Eastern Europe.

Lielvarde Air Base is located four miles north of Leilvarde in Latvia.  It was built in 1969 for an attack aircraft regiment.  It was transferred from Russia to Latvia in 1994 and now form the core of operations for the Latvian Air Force.

"The main reason for this landing today is to show the buildup of this base," said Lt. Col. Tim Brock, Bilateral Affairs Officer for the U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia. "We are furthering the NATO capability if this base is ever needed as a Forward Operating Base in the future. Now that fighters are able to land here, Latvians will be able to learn the safety of the aircraft, how to refuel, and handle emergencies should any arise while the aircraft is parked on the flight line."

"This has been a great experience for us," said Lt. Col. Juris Plavins, the acting Commander of the Latvian Air Force and Chief of Lielvarde Air Field.  "It is great training and the troops can now put to practice what they have been learning on paper."

The U.S. will work side by side with European allies and partners training to meet future challenges.

Plavins said it was such a great day to be standing with the U.S. partners of the Latvian Air Force on the airfield as history was happening before his eyes.

Operation Back-to-School 2015 Backpack Giveaway

by Tech. Sgt. Kerri Spero
102nd Intelligence Wing Public Affairs

8/28/2015 - OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. -- More than 350 school-age children received backpacks filled with school supplies this weekend during the annual 102nd Intelligence Wing Back-to-School backpack giveaway.

Organized by the Otis Civilian Advisory Council, approximately 60,000 school supplies were donated by several Cape Cod vendors to the Joint Base Cape Cod military community.

Because most items were delivered in containers, dozens of JBCC community volunteers assembled and filled the backpacks during an event, August 19. Volunteers included retirees, active military personnel, civilians and families.

"It was a terrific to see all the OCAC volunteers when they were stuffing the bags and be able to share our great appreciation for their time," said Erin Creighton, 102nd Airman and Family Readiness Program manager.

The variety of items donated include rulers to calculators, notebooks, pens, pencils, binders, book covers, glue and numerous other items, including brand new backpacks. The 102 IW received approximately 350 backpacks out of the 2,500 donated to the JBCC community. The remaining backpacks will be distributed to children of Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Camp Edwards, and the 6th Space Warning Squadron.

"This is a good program for all the military kids in the wing," said Creighton, "The families of wing members receive a backpack for every school-age child from K-12. And this year we had a tremendous amount of support from OCAC that we were able to give the school-age children up to 20 items."

"Parents and children love this program. It started out very small and has grown substantially in the last three years," said Don Cox, OCAC president, "Anything we can do to help them out is an enjoyable experience."

When asked about the volunteers, Cox said "I think they're fabulous. Between [the OCAC] membership, the Civil Air Patrol, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and many other people from the base that come out and help every time we hold a community-driven event. It's incredible."

In previous years, the 102nd Airman and Family Readiness Program Office organized the event and participation was limited only to 102 IW members. Because the program has grown to support the entire JBCC community, the OCAC has graciously taken over the logistics and operation of the distribution process. This year, 102 IW first sergeants have collected the pre-filled bags and will distribute to their unit members accordingly during the August Unit Training Assembly.

"I will miss being able to see everyone on the hangar floor this year, but the distribution change will allow more families to receive the backpacks with less impact to the day." said Creighton. "As always, the Airman and Family Readiness Office likes feedback. I'm looking forward to hear how the program changes were received."

We hope all of the children are excited to receive their backpacks just in time to go back to school next week.

To receive your child's backpack, please contact your unit's first sergeant.

Polish, US demonstrate 'Stronger Together' at Lask

by Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/1/2015 - LASK AIR BASE, Poland  -- Four U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, two F-22 Raptors and one C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft arrived at Łask Air Base, Poland, Aug. 31, 2015.

The Airmen and aircraft are in Poland for separate flying training events with allies to demonstrate the countries' shared commitment to the collective security of NATO and enduring peace and stability of the region.

"Our friendship and partnership as allies through NATO afford us the ability to train every day as we improve the interoperability between all of our forces," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Christopher Bence, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force vice commander, during a media event held at Łask alongside Robert Kupiecki, Polish Deputy Minister of National Defence.

Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group

The Aviation Detachment, stationed at Łask Air Base, supported the aircraft and its Airmen and has previously hosted rotations of F-16s, A-10s, KC-135s, and C-130s from deployed active-duty, Air National Guard, and U.S. Air Force Reserve units to conduct bilateral training with the Polish air force since 2011, operating under the squadron's credo of "Razem Silniejsi -- Stronger Together."

"Of course, it all starts with partnerships, and it starts here with our Aviation Detachment led by Lieutenant Colonel Jack Harman as we continue forge our relationship as allies and, most importantly, as friends," the general said.

F-16 Fighting Falcons -- 480th Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and 176th Fighter Squadron, Wisconsin Air National Guard

The F-16s, from the 480th Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, will participate in the Aviation Detachment Rotation 15-4. The unit will later be joined by the 606th Air Control Squadron, also at Spangdahlem, and additional F-16s from the 176th Fighter Squadron, Wisconsin Air National Guard.

The upcoming rotation, which is projected to be one of the largest since the Av-Det's creation, will focus on maintaining joint readiness and building interoperability capabilities between the Polish and U.S. Air Forces.

"This is our 19th rotation in the last two and a half years," Harman said. "The relationship with our Polish allies is strong and growing."

F-22 Raptors -- 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida

While not part of the Av-Det rotation, the F-22s and their respective operations, maintenance and mission support Airmen from the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, briefly visited Łask for familiarization within European airspace. 

This forward deployment of the Raptors to Spangdahlem Air Base Aug. 28 serves as part of the inaugural F-22 training deployment to Europe and is funded by the European Reassurance Initiative, which provides support to bolster the security of our NATO Allies and partners in Europe while demonstrating our commitment to regional and global security.

"This is the first deployment of the F-22 as we continue to build our partnership and train and work together to improve us as allies and as a nation on how we will ultimately fight if we had to," Bence said.

The general said that the 95th FS Airmen will continue to train side-by-side with allies to be able to prove how the U.S. Air Force can operate a fifth-generation fighter in Europe.

"We continually rotate U.S. forces from the United States into Europe, and this is a part of the training rotation," he added. "We look forward to continue to prove that fifth-generation aircraft can operate in Europe as we set the foundation for the future of the F-35 coming to Europe in just the next few years."

The F-22s later returned to Spangdahlem to continue their training deployment.

"It is no surprise that the first allied base the F-22 has arrived is here at Łask, Poland," Bence said.