Exercise launches with goal of improving coalition combat identification

  • Published
  • By Air Force Maj. Keith Roessig And Casey Bain
  • 46th Test Squadron and Joint Fires Intergration InteroperabilityTeam, US Joint Forces Command
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), along with its service and coalition partners, kicked-off Bold Quest Plus, here. This Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration will focus on system testing and refinement of tactics, techniques and procedures using a variety of air-to-ground combat identification (CID) technologies designed to improve U.S. and coalition combat effectiveness and reduce fratricide potential.

USJFCOM's Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team along with
Eglin-based 46th Test Wing are helping to host this exercise that will run through July 25. JFIIT's role in Bold Quest Plus is to conduct data collection and analysis of identified CID technologies and provide results and recommendations for future investment.

Within the 46th TW, the 46th Range Group is supplying coalition range escorts, aircraft instrumentation pods, vehicle instrumentation and drivers, and range infrastructure support. Network architecture design, system integration, and the operations center are being provided by the 46th Test Squadron.

The Datalinks Test Facility and Air Operations Center (AOC) Lab at Eglin, both part of the 46th TS Command and Control Test Facility (C2TF), are supporting the multi-tactical datalink and command and control environment. These unique facilities allow for the creation, instrumentation, and analysis of networks required for detailed message traffic and performance data.

U.S. military units participating in this exercise include: The Air Force's 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev.; 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron, Shaw AFB, S.C.; 720th Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field; 16th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field; Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 14, Le Moore, Calif., Marine Corps Air Development Squadron 31, China Lake, Calif., and the Marine Corps Systems Command Target Location Designation Handoff Team, Quantico, Va. 

Coalition partners include: The Canadian Director General Land Equipment/Director Armoured Vehicle Program Management; the 425th Squadron, Quebec, Canada; and the British Forward Air Control Team, United Kingdom.

The Coalition Combat Identification technologies to be tested during this ACTD include the Battlefield Target Identification Device, CID Server, Tactical Air Control Party Close Air Support System, Target Location Designation Handoff System, Air Support Operations Center Gateway, Battlefield Air Operations Kit, and the BTID-equipped Forward Air Controller (BeFAC).

According to John Miller, USJFCOM's operational manager for Bold Quest Plus, "U.S. priorities in this project are focused on combat identification issues involving ground target engagement by coalition aircraft - especially those tools developed for aircrew and ground controllers to enable them to coordinate attacks or drop bombs on targets more quickly and effectively than they can today."

"Bold Quest Plus in an extension of previous USJFCOM sponsored CCID ACTD events," said Marine Corps Maj. Eric Drown, JFIIT project lead. "The focus of this demonstration is to improve the ability of U.S. and coalition forces' to identify objects on today's asymmetric battlefield; therefore, increasing our combat effectiveness and reducing the potential of collateral damage and fratricide."

"Combat identification has proven to be one of the most challenging and critical tasks facing our military over the course of time," said Scott Jones, JFIIT lead planner. "The goal of this demonstration is to help fill the gaps from the previous CCID ACTD conducted last Sept. This event will provide us with a valuable opportunity to analyze possible solutions for providing a more accurate and timely identification of objects on the battlefield."

Bold Quest Plus is a two-week CCID that will exploit previous work conducted during the Bold Quest demonstration held at Nellis AFB, Nev., and Ft. Irwin, Calif., in Sept. 2007. "As in the case today, future conflicts will be fought alongside our coalition partners," added Miller. "Bold Quest Plus is working hard to close the gap between when we can pull the trigger and when we should pull the trigger, based on our ability to positively identify potential targets."

"Bold Quest Plus has also provided USJFCOM with an excellent opportunity to leverage JFIIT's location and expertise to team with the 46th TW to conduct this ACTD and demonstrate the extensive testing and training resources available on the Eglin Range Complex," said Drown. "This is a win-win for our U.S. military and our allies. Anytime you can bring together a comprehensive group of U.S. and coalition (military) experts to participate in a well synchronized and orchestrated tactical exercise, progress will be made."