CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (Army News Service, Sept. 5, 2008) -- U.S. Army Central continued its full-spectrum operations transformation as Soldiers deployed from Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Ga., to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, to conduct Lucky Warrior 08-01.
Lucky Warrior features a computer-generated scenario that tests the staff's ability to receive, interpret, disseminate, and respond to information. Its goal is to test USARCENT's abilities in being full-spectrum operations capable, while focusing on operations as a Joint Task Force Land Component Command. This Lucky Warrior exercise will serve as an internal certification to validate that USARCENT is ready to serve as a JTF-capable headquarters anywhere in Central Command's area of operations.
"There are two primary purposes of the exercise," said Maj. Robert Mallett, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, USARCENT intelligence officer for G3, Current Operations. "The first is to put to work all the equipment, skills and training that we have learned over the past several months together with our brand new digital systems. The second one is to get us stood up so we can be full-spectrum operations-capable."
Part of the exercise transforms the operational command post from metal shelters and 5-ton expando-vans to a more rapidly deployable command and control element consisting of Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter tents and Army Battle Field Command System components.
The ABCS systems enable commanders to talk and share in real time a common operating picture with each supporting unit in USARCENT's area of operations which includes countries in the Horn of Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East.
"Using the ABCS system gives us a better picture as far as all of the systems coming together to give the commander better information and a better picture as to what is going on," said Master Sgt. John Konken, Headquarters and Headquarters Company operations NCO for G3 Current Operations.
ABCS is a system that has many parts, Mallet said. He added that each battlefield operating system has its own system that leads to a bigger system so that maneuver forces can be controlled, information displayed, and logistical and administrative data can be shared.
The goal of the exercise is a USARCENT staff that is trained on new hardware and software, said Lt. Col. Liston Edge, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, USARCENT deputy chief of operations. Staff members will also learn a new decision-making process that goes into making the unit full-spectrum operations capable, Edge said.
Lucky Warrior is conducted with support from units and agencies at Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort McPherson, Ga.; McDill Air Force Base, Fla.; U.S. Army Europe, and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Past Lucky Warrior exercises were conducted at Fort Gillem, Ga.; Doha, Qatar; Camp Doha, Kuwait; and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
Lt. Gen. James Lovelace, commanding general of USARCENT, said "I see U.S. Army Central as a command that is full-spectrum operations capable, trained and postured and ready to be employed as a Coalition/Joint Task Force or Coalition/Joint Forces Land Component Command anywhere in the U.S. Central Command area of operation. We're breaking trail for the rest of the Army to follow."
(Sgt. Beth Lake serves with the U.S. Army Central Public Affairs Office.)
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