Ex Joint Warrior Press Release

[Fighterfoto]

Hopefully this will be of interest:

Exercise JOINT WARRIOR 2011, Serial 1 (JW 111)

UK and Allied forces Tri-service Training for Operations

Introduction

Exercise JOINT WARRIOR (JW) is a UK wide, tri-service exercise conducted in the Spring and the Autumn of each year; it is assessed that JW is the largest tactically focused exercise in Europe. The first of 2011’s JW Exercises (JW 111) will take place between 4 – 15 April 2011.

The exercise has been planned by RAF and Naval personnel from the Joint Tactical Exercise planning Staff (JTEPS) based at Northwood HQ, London. During the Exercise itself the JTEPS staff deploy to a Joint Warfare Operations Centre (JWOC) located at HMNB Clyde, Scotland. Once there they are augmented by an additional 130 tri service personnel, many of whom are Reservists, to provide an appropriate level of Higher Command simulation and to assist with exercise safety.

JTEPS aim is to provide coordinated training for all 3 UK Armed Services and also forces from allied nations. This Exercise includes participants from the UK and up to 15 other Nations.

Up to 40 fast jet and multi engined aircraft, Support and Attack helicopters from all three UK services augmented by visiting NATO and Allied Air Forces will be training together across the UK daily. UK participation includes Typhoon, Tornado GR4, VC10 and Tristar AAR, Sentinel, E3D and Hawk. Allied and visiting air participants, including F15Es from RAF Lakenheath, NATO E3A and Maritime Patrol Aircraft from US and Canada based at RAF Kinloss. It is planned to fly approximately 50 combat and support missions per day on day and night sorties throughout the period. Limited night and weekend flying will be undertaken from RAF Kinloss supporting UK and multinational Navy elements on the exercise.

JW111 will see participation from 39 separate naval units from UK, US, France, the Netherlands, Belgium Norway and Canada. Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic and Commander Danish Task Group will act as Task Group Commanders. The aim for these task groups is to build upon basic maritime skills and learn to operate in an allied and multinational context The US Navy continues to support JW in strength. For JW111 it will be sending 3 Ships, a tanker and a Destroyer Squadron Staff who will evaluate & certify the US ships prior to them deploying on Operations.

A variety of UK and Allied Land forces (supported by maritime and air participants) will conduct Core Military Training and Mission Specific Training (MST) across Scotland. This training will utilise Defence Training Estate range areas, commercial ranges, Highland Agency and private land areas. It will enable the preparatory training for deployment of UK unit elements from the 3 (UK) Division, Household Calvary Regiment and USMC ANGLICO. RAF and allied aircrew and assorted ISTAR and Strike aircraft are also assigned to conduct Air - Land Integration (ALI) training.

JW Area of Operation

JW 111 will take place across the majority of the UK utilising a wide variety of battlespace including UK live ranges and Managed Danger Areas (MDAs) – see below. Partners in battlespace provision include: QinetiQ (for multiple range locations), London & Scottish Air Traffic Control Centres (LATCC & ScATCC) and the Control & Reporting Centre (CRC) at RAF Boulmer.

JW Scenario

The exercise scenario involves 3 sovereign nations, disputed territory and terrorist movements. The Exercise will develop over the 2 weeks, through a period of military and political tension into simulated warfighting / open hostilities. JW facilitates a very broad range of crisis and conflict scenarios including Counter insurgency, State sponsored terrorism, Counter Narcotics and State on State conflict situations, all of which help train JW participants across the Air, Maritime and Land environments in the many and varied skills that are required of today’s modern Armed Forces and experienced on ongoing operations around the globe.

JW Operations and Training

It is intended for the Exercise to provide opportunities for all warfighting disciplines including:

Tactical Reconnaissance and ISR - The collection and dissemination of Intelligence and support products such as Full Motion Video (FMV), digital imagery, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery for use in mission preparation and planning.

Composite Air Operations (COMAOs) - The preparation and execution of a large packages of Air assets involving aircraft of different types and roles from UK and allied air forces. Aircraft will fly from varied locations both on land and from the sea and will combine into one package in order to enable and enhance collective offence and defence.

Close Air Support (CAS) – Air Land Integration (ALI) events will include day and night CAS executed by Fast Jet aircraft in association with Forward Air Controllers (FACs), occasionally using live weapons; furthermore, a number of Convoy Support, Time Sensitive Targeting (TST) and Urban CAS serials will be completed in order to replicate current and future operational missions.

Electronic Warfare (EW) Training - This important aspect of military air operational training will primarily be undertaken in the EW Tactics Facility at RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria, and also in the vicinity of mobile EW emitters and deployed targets such as the simulated SCUD Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM) shown below.

In support of both land and maritime forces multinational Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) will participate in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (AsuW). Additionally, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions will be flown by assorted Fast Jet aircraft.

Joint Fires - Live weapons will be used in serials involving Fast Jet aircraft, Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) and mortars. Such events and Close Air Support will be practised within weapons ranges across the UK.

Maritime Task Force Training - Training in multinational tactical maritime formations within a joint, multi-threat environment in preparation for employment in a Combined Task Force (CTF) or Combined Task Group (CTG) role on operations.

Mine Countermeasure (MCM) Training - MCM vessels will gain practice in clearing minefields in protection of themselves, their task groups and civilian shipping lanes. This activity is conducted under operationally realistic scenario constraints which add considerable value to all participants.

Counter Piracy, Narcotics and Insurgency - Maritime and Air participants working in joint coordinated serials to deter or deny exercise pirates and maritime criminals use and exploitation of the maritime environment.

Submarine Training - Boats will complete sub-vs-sub and sub-vs-ship exercises. In opposition, Anti-Submarine Warfare capable participants will be offered tracking and integration serials with the submarines.

Logistics Support and Training - Of course none of this significant military activity can be sustained without comprehensive logistics support and JW offers participants the opportunity to plan and exercise all aspects of this vital skill. All the maritime units will practice replenishment at sea (RAS) drills, embarking everything from ammunition and fuel through to baked beans and mail. While of course the air participants will similarly be able to practice their in flight re-fuelling using the various air-to-air re-fuelling tankers.

Media - The Joint Warrior exercise and scenario is played out with simulated media replicating the media scrutiny and involvement experienced by deployed forces on real life campaigns. Press relations and public affairs officers are given experience of media operations and journalist engagement throughout the exercise. This includes press conferences, on ship visits from professional journalists and reaction to news stories on the developing scenario. Guidance and feedback from experienced media handlers is provided to help develop skills and understanding.

Environment

Some of the JW exercise areas overlap environmentally sensitive conservation zones, which contain a wide variety of marine wildlife, sea bird breeding grounds and protected fauna and flora. Furthermore, the farming, fishing and tourist industries are important economic activities, which benefit from the natural beauty and relative isolation of some of the exercise areas. Against this background, the MOD recognises the impact of Military Activity and takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously.

During the planning of the exercise, Environmental Impact Assessments will be produced where required, such as for the use of Active Sonar and live weapons. Furthermore, close working relationships with landowners and key national stakeholders, combined with engagement with local communities, ensure that appropriate environmental mitigation procedures are put in place and then adhered to. It should be noted that the MOD has decreed that environmental considerations will always be considered when planning exercises to meet training objectives; this direction remains a primary consideration throughout exercise planning and execution.

[Jonay]

It'd be rally interesting to find out how we perform this year in relativity to previous years now that we're Nimrodless...