Month: March 2023

Source: United States Navy

TLP is a joint exercise designed to teach NATO partner aircrews to train and operate together.

TLP participants were exposed to challenging scenarios that included current and emerging threats that all NATO countries may see in the future. The participants were charged with planning and executing missions on a compressed schedule.

“This program allows aircrew to mission plan, brief, execute, and debrief complex missions together in one single location, which is an opportunity we do not often have,” said Lt. Cmdr. Richard Tiberio, TLP liaison for CVW-7. “The more frequently we integrate with our NATO allies during international exercises, the better prepared we will be when required to face NATO adversaries in a potential warfare scenario.”

In addition to Spanish pilots, the program hosted participants from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and the United States.

“”CVW-7 remains committed to training and operating with our NATO allies in this critical time in theater,” said Capt. Thomas Bodine, commander, CVW-7. “The TLP detachment was another fantastic display of the strength and interoperability that NATO air forces can employ in peacetime, in crisis, or, if necessary, in combat.”

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is the flagship of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, CVW-7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

The ships of DESRON-26 within CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).

The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard the George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, the “Knighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

The George H.W. Bush CSG is on a scheduled deployment in the NAVEUR area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

Source: United States Navy

The Sixth Fleet wargaming department was developed last year under the deliberate plans directorate and is the first numbered fleet, in recent history, to have a resident capability.

Wargaming is a time-honored tradition in the U.S. Navy, going back to the late 1880s, credited with shaping the naval strategy that led to victory in the Pacific during World War II. They consist of three elements: decisions, competition or conflict, and the consequences of those decisions. Used to derive information that assists military commanders in reaching decisions and developing strategy, the exercise provides a safe, controlled environment for decision-makers to learn the consequences of their decisions.

“This course was designed to train a cadre of personnel,” said Charles Leonard, an operational planner and wargaming subject matter expert at Sixth Fleet. “By the end of the 10-day course, everyone who participated should be able to design, develop, conduct, and analyze future wargames in support of Sixth Fleet.”

According to Dr. Jeff Appleget (Col. retired), director of the Naval Warfare Studies Institute Wargaming Center at NPS, “Wargaming is not a pure science, or exclusively an art – it is a craft that should be continuously practiced.”

“We were taught that wargaming is a craft,” Leonard said. “The only way to perfect your craft and become a practitioner of wargaming is with hands on experience and continued learning.”

Leonard was one of 18 participants in the BAWC and he said, “I believe the course was successful. I think it gave us the knowledge and skills needed to jump into a wargaming exercise or into a real world event.” 

David Watkins, Naval Forces Europe-Naval Forces Africa, U.S. Sixth Fleet Deputy Director of Deliberate Plans & Wargaming said, “Wargaming provides decision making experience and enables you to gather information on the situation that is wargamed.  Wargaming does not provide validation to a course of action, but it does provide understanding to the effects of decisions.”

As for the future of this capability within Sixth Fleet, Watkins said, “We are in the initial stages of developing this capability. We plan to provide additional advanced training to our cadre in order to provide an advanced wargaming capability for our leadership and staff.”

And for Watkins and his team, their goal is to make an impact with their wargaming capability.

“Our goal is to be the premier maritime wargaming Center of Excellence in this theater and support U.S. and NATO decision makers and maritime planning efforts,” said Watkins.

To find out more information about wargaming, visit the NPS website and the U.S. Naval War College website.

For more than 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability.

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.