USS America hosts Japanese Sailors in San Diego for Dawn Blitz

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jacob Holloway, USS America (LHA 6) Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) began hosting Japanese Sailors Aug. 17 as they prepare for the annual amphibious assault training exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 (DB 15) in early September.

DB 15 is an annual multinational, scenario-driven amphibious training exercise in which forces plan and execute an expeditionary strike group and Marine expeditionary brigade-sized amphibious assault from the sea in a maritime and land environment .

The training exercise includes four participating nations and four other nations as observers. There are more than 25 commands participating in the exercise in all.

While the Japanese ships participate in DB 15, America will sponsor one of the ships from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH 181). America will work to facilitate all the needs of the ship and its personnel during their stay on Naval Base San Diego (NBSD). Additionally, the crews will participate in goodwill events.

"Our mission is to have our crew interact with their crew on a personal level to facilitate understanding amongst our navies and cultures," said Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Franklin, a liaison assigned to America. "Through social events and sporting activities we hope to gain their friendship and create a bond with them as our counterpart."

Sailors from each country have had the opportunity to experience the similarities and differences in cultures by touring each other's ships.

"Both commanding officers have welcomed the crew of the other ships to tour their vessels," said Franklin. "This is a good opportunity to compare and contrast our capabilities of our ship and have our crew see that."

Port visits and training exercises are vital in maintaining a professional military bond between the two country's navies. These interactions help Sailors connect on a professional and personal level and allow both navies to interact on and off duty.

"Working with America Sailors during Hyuga's time in port San Diego has truly strengthened the alliance between Japan and the United States," said Capt. Taskeshi Okada, commanding officer of the Hyuga. "The America has been a great host and we have learned a lot about daily operations of America."

America's initial interaction as Japan's host was to help them moor. America's Deck department awaited the arrival of the Hyuga and assisted them in mooring to the pier at NBSD on Monday, Aug. 17.

"Even though there was a language barrier, we were able to get the job done," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Tiago Campos, Deck department's leading petty officer. "The understanding we have between Sailors is incredible."

The United States of America is regarded as a 'melting pot' of cultures, better enabling fluid exchange and understanding of nations around the world. The crew of USS America strives to exemplify that same standard in connecting with other countries.

"Being a host ship is a responsibility to represent America, both the ship and the country, with the best Sailors our country has to offer," said Franklin. "We want to leave the best impression of our country through our interactions with them."

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.