Common Media Press Release (CMPR) for Exercise JOINT WARRIOR 2008, Serial 2 (JW 082)

UK and Allied forces Tri-service Training for Operations

Introduction

Exercise JOINT WARRIOR (JW) is a UK wide, 2 week tri-service exercise conducted in the Spring and the Autumn of each year; it is assessed that JW is the largest exercise in Europe. The second of 2008’s JW Exercises (JW 082) will be executed during the period 6-16 October and will incorporate Exercise CROWN CONDOR (RAF Deployed operational training at RAF FAIRFORD).

The exercise has been planned and will be executed, by the Joint Tactical Exercise planning Staff (JTEPS) based at Northwood HQ, London.

JTEPS aim is to provide coordinated training for all 3 UK Armed Services and also forces from allied nations. This Exercise includes participants from the UK and 8 Foreign Nations including multiple Forward Air Controllers (FACs), 6 companies of Infantry, 29 surface and 4 sub-surface maritime units and 60 aircraft, flying at a daily rate of approximately 80-100 sorties a day.

JW Area of Operation

JW 082 will take place across the whole of the UK utilising a wide variety of battlespace including UK live ranges and Managed Danger Areas (MDAs) – see below. Partners in battlespace provision include: QinetiQ (for multiple range locations), London & Scottish Air Traffic Control Centres (LATCC & ScATCC) and the Control & Reporting Centres (CRC’s) at Boulmer and Scampton.

JW Scenario

The exercise scenario involves 3 sovereign nations, disputed territory and a state sponsored terrorist movement. Commencing with a period of Force Integration Training (FIT) the Ex will develop over the 2 weeks, through a period of tension into simulated warfighting / open hostilities.

JW Operations and Training

It is intended for the Exercise to provide opportunities for all warfighting disciplines including:

Close Air Support (CAS) - All varieties of CAS will be executed by Fast Jet aircraft and FACs often using live weapons; furthermore, a considerable number of Convoy Support, Time Sensitive Targeting (TST) and Urban CAS serials will be completed in order to replicate current Middle-East operational missions.

Large Force Element (LFE) missions – These will target fixed and mobile targets including inflatable Scud Decoys (shown below) and Electronic Warfare (EW) emitters simulating surface-to-air threats; throughout the exercise the EW range at RAF Spadeadam, Cumbria will act as a central training provider.

In support of both land and maritime forces, Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) will participate in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (AsuW) and also, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

Joint fires – Live weapons will be used in serials involving fast jet ac, Naval Gunfire Support (NGS), and mortars, these events will be practised within weapons ranges in both Scotland and Wales.
 
Mine Countermeasure (MCM) training – MCM vessels will gain practice in clearing minefields in protection of themselves and their task groups.

Submarine Training - Boats will complete sub-vs-sub and sub-vs-ship exercises. In opposition, Anti-Submarine Warfare capable participants will be offered tracking and integration serials with the submarines.

Frigates and Destroyer Training - Specific training will include: Joint Fires; deep and shallow water Anti-Submarine Warfare including interaction from organic helicopters and Maritime Patrol Aircraft; Anti-Air Warfare against and with fast jet and target simulation aircraft and finally, Maritime Interdiction and Maritime Security Operations.

Amphibious Operations - In partnership with air and maritime assets a series of amphibious landing will be completed involving UK and allied infantry, these serials will also include Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEOs).

Under the umbrella of Exercise JW, Exercise CROWN CONDOR (CC) will be executed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in order to achieve expeditionary Deployed Operational Training for RAF personnel. This will involve in the region of 1000 RAF personnel deploying to the disused side of the airfield in order to set up and operate an Air Deployed Operating Base (DOB) from a simulated austere location. Once operational, the DOB will accommodate a squadron of Tornado GR4s from 12 Sqn, RAF Lossiemouth and a squadron of Gripen aircraft from 171 Sqn, Swedish Air Force plus associated support personnel drawn from support units throughout the RAF. This is a particularly important exercise for the Tornado GR4 deployment as this will also act as a full mission rehearsal for their forthcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Op HERRICK. Exercise CC enables an Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) to test and adjust its war-fighting procedures in order to be fully prepared for any short notice contingency operations that they may be called upon to support. This year 140 EAW from RAF Lossiemouth will participate prior to their 12 month standby commitment for reactionary ops, which will start on 1 January 2009.

Media – Professional Media Exercise press teams will be employed to provide media training to as many participants as possible. The teams will offer interviews conducted on camera, in person and by phone or radio. These interviews allow the creation of exercise newspapers, press releases and simulated TV programmes.

Environment

Some of the JW exercise areas overlap environmentally sensitive conservation zones, which contain a wide variety of marine wildlife, sea bird breeding grounds and protected fauna and flora. Furthermore, the farming, fishing and tourist industries are important economic activities, which benefit from the natural beauty and relative isolation of some of the exercise areas. Against this background, the MOD recognises the impact of Military Activity and takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously.

During the planning of the exercise, Environmental Impact Assessments are conducted for all potentially damaging activities, such as the use of Active Sonar and live weapons. Furthermore, close working relationships with landowners and key national stakeholders, combined with engagement with local communities, ensure that appropriate environmental mitigation procedures are put in place and then adhered to. It should be noted that the MOD has decreed that environmental considerations are always to take priority over the achievement of training objectives; this direction remains a primary consideration throughout exercise planning and execution.

Summary

Director JTEPS Capt Paddy McAlpine OBE summarised his thoughts on JW 082 as follows:

“Joint Warrior 082 will offer high quality joint tactical training with maximum tactical interaction, tailored to meet the participants’ requirements across the whole of the UK whilst creating as little impact on the environment as possible.

I am sure that the high fidelity joint tactical training environment provided by JTEPS within Joint Warrior will ensure that UK and allied participants are rigorously prepared for operational tasks in theatres world-wide.”