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CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (September 1, 2008) - U.S. Army Central
continued its full spectrum operations transformation as Soldiers
deployed from Ft. McPherson in Atlanta, Ga., to Camp Buehring,
Kuwait, to conduct Lucky Warrior 08-01.
Lucky Warrior is 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 particular Lucky
Warrior exercise serves as an internal certification that once
complete will 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 (ABCS).
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.
The ABCS is a system comprised of many parts, said Mallet.
He also 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. They
will also learn a new decision making process that goes into making
the unit full spectrum operations capable.
Lucky Warrior is conducted with support from units and agencies
at Ft. Bragg, N.C., Ft. McPherson, Ga., McDill, Air Force Base,
Fl., U.S. Army Europe, and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Past Lucky Warrior
exercises were conducted at Ft. Gillem, Ga., Doha, Qatar, Camp
Doha, Kuwait, and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
The goal at the completion of Lucky Warrior is to be prepared to
rapidly respond to any crisis within central command's AOR. Once
certified, USARCENT provides the combatant commander with an
expeditionary warfighting headquarters capable of conducting
simultaneous offensive, defensive and stability operations.
Lt. Gen. James Lovelace, commanding general USARCENT, may have
said it best, "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."
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