Page 57 - Leverage and Learn_Neat

Leverage Allied Investments and Combat Learning Experience in Modernizing the U.S. Military

"The team is very proactive in working collaboratively to get to the outcome we're looking for."

Question: In the SPO facility, you have a Virtual Wedgetail, which is the currently configured Wedgetail
systems but located on the ground.

How as that worked for you?

Group Captain Bellingham: "It is crucial for reaching out to the warfighting community. We have plugged into
both Army and Navy officer training courses.

"We are using it to work closely with the Army and Navy getting ready for our Fall exercise with the LHD to
shape a task force concept of the amphibious ships.

It provides a realistic way for Army and Navy officers to see what we contribute to their warfighting tasks.

"We need a crew in the Virtual Wedgetail to make it work because they have to have the right experience
and background to provide that level of reality to the force which then the warfighters can experience what
we can bring right now to the fight.

"We are also working with 7th Fleet. We work with the PACAF as well. We sent two planes to Pitch Black
2016 and are participating as well in the current Red Flag Alaska. This allows for Australia and the United
States to shape synergies in the force.

"We put three layers of officers into the AOC that was running the Pacific Thunder exercise to ensure the
success from our perspective and get people to understand it.

"We've definitely been invited back so we'll be there again beginning of next year doing it again which will
be great."

Question: The software upgradeability aspect of the plane means that you have to inform the broader
warfighting community of what the evolving aircraft is now capable of. We saw those concerns when
we visited Jax Navy and talked with the P-8 and Trion squadrons.

How are dealing with this challenge?

Group Captain Bellingham: "Until we stop flying the E7, it will keep getting better. The challenge is as you
fairly eloquently stated it is making sure people understand the capability as we're progressing.
"It's not just one community, the fighter force, with whom we need to communicate.

"We need to work with and communicate effectively with the joint force.

"Which affects our training as we move ahead as well.

"We must make sure that our communication is effective within the joint force."

Question: Where is the future evolution of the system likely to go?

Group Captain Bellingham: "One aspect is the people aspect, namely that Army and Navy officers are not
simply replicating what they have done in legacy systems. Once they become that mission commander they
are that all-seeing, all-knowing, joint integrator who is a vastly different person to what they were in the
ground system and they know an awful lot about joint integration and how to make that work.

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