Photo By Whitney Katz | U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr Jonathan Trull (far left), Joint Planning Support Element (JPSE)...... read more read more
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. - More than 65 members of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command put their joint operational planning skills to the test during a command-wide Mission Readiness Exercise from June 10-14 at Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, S.C. With a focus on applying the Joint Operation Planning Process, the lessons taught during the JECC Planners Course as well as the experience of fellow team members proved to be important resources.
The JECC conducts an MRX each quarter to validate the training programs of the JECC’s three subordinate commands – the Joint Planning Support Element, the Joint Communications Support Element and the Joint Public Affairs Support Element. Additionally, the MRX program evaluates JPSE, JCSE and JPASE’s ability to fulfill the requirements of the Ready JECC Package, an alert-postured force of members from each JECC subordinate joint command who are capable of responding to emerging crisis or contingency operations within hours.
Each MRX is centered around a unique scenario with objectives that exercise the RJP’s full range of capabilities. The most recent MRX, which used a humanitarian assistance/disaster relief scenario, required personnel to demonstrate their joint operational knowledge by employing the “plan to plan” method and executing tasks associated with joint task force formation.
“Exercising these crucial skills in the MRX served as a good foundation as we prepare to go forward and deploy in support of both combatant command exercises and real world events,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. James Von St. Paul, a member of JPSE and an MRX participant.
“The MRXs provide time to practice the fundamentals, which is a key factor in being a value-added member during follow-on real world missions,” added U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Coleman, another JPSE member.
The JECCPC, a quarterly training class which provides an overview of JTF operations and a baseline understanding of the JOPP, prepared participants to execute the “plan to plan” method. Typically during JECCPC, students are provided feedback and direction at various points in the JOPP. However, this MRX required JECC personnel to use the “plan-to-plan” method in which they conducted all steps of the JOPP, from initial mission analysis to the final deliverable, with no additional guidance. Instead, members relied on the collective knowledge of the team to set timelines and develop products, similar to how they would operate during a real-world mission.
“The plan-to-plan method ensures precious time is not lost or spent on non-critical tasks in the JOPP,” said JPSE member, U.S. Army Lt. Col. William Tillery. “By having a clear understanding of the timeline, skill sets of your team, complexity of the problem and desired product end state; the team can be employed in the most effective manner to meet the overall objectives.”
Also contributing to the realism of the MRX was the integration of 15 members from U.S. Air Forces Central Command, the Air Force Service component of U.S. Central Command. Since many of the USAFCENT participants are also graduates of the JECCPC, the MRX provided a chance for these members to exercise the skills gained during the JECCPC.
"The training from JECCPC was extremely useful in preparing me to be a contributing member,” said USAFCENT member, U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Skinner. “Additionally, I have been working on the USAFCENT JTF planning team for seven months and that was very helpful in completing the tasks that were part of this exercise."
The second half of the MRX focused on tasks associated with JTF formation such as seven-minute drills, development of Joint Manning Documents, communications that support JTF operations and preparation of subject matter experts for media engagements. The MRX participants relied on the operational knowledge of their team members to execute these tasks.
“The operational knowledge of our members was invaluable to the process of exercising these JTF formation tasks,” said Von St. Paul. “We were able to leverage the insights of our more experienced JECC members to effectively accomplish the objectives.”
As a capability that is often requested during the initial forming stages of a JTF, JCSE members are extremely familiar with providing the critical communications infrastructure needed to command and control joint operations. Likewise, they were tasked to provide and deliver uninterrupted communications for all participants during the MRX.
“JCSE was responsible for installing, operating, and maintaining communications in order to facilitate command and control,” said JCSE member, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyrone Craig. “We also provided a planner who helped with the command, control, communications, computer and intelligence portion of the JOPP.”
JPASE is also a capability that is critical to the immediate success of the JTF; especially in a time when news is reported at an increasingly rapid pace. It is important for the joint force commander to release timely, accurate messages to gain and maintain the information initiative. For this MRX, JPASE concentrated on prepping team leads with the skills needed to convey appropriate command messages during simulated media interviews and participated in planning meetings.
“Any time the military is brought into a humanitarian assistance scenario, there will be intense media interest,” said JPASE member, U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sean Robertson. “Preparing subject matter experts to engage the media early is a core JPASE capability.”
The June MRX validated that the JECC members’ training, education and operational experiences are not only sufficient to meet the requirements of the global joint force commander, but that this expertise can be applied effectively. The JECC continually strives to ensure that its personnel maintain the highest standards of professional knowledge and skill to support customers across the Department of Defense.
| Date Taken: | 07.08.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2013 08:57 |
| Story ID: | 109831 |
| Location: | NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 174 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, JECC exercise employs skills from JECCPC, prepares members for real-world operations, by Whitney Katz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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