Integrated virtual exercise success Published Oct. 27, 2008 By 2nd Lt. Kathleen Polesnak 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Nearly 20 years of vision and planning brought "The Matrix" -like training capabilities to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany and other Air Force locations around the globe during a recent virtual flying competition. F-16 pilots here competed in a cyber-Turkey Shoot with pilots at flying squadrons from Misawa Air Base, Japan; Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.; and McEntire Air National Guard Base, S.C., Sept. 22-26. "No kidding, it's like the movie 'The Matrix,'" said Captain Kelii Chock, an F-16 pilot with the 22nd Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem AB. "We can talk to each other -- they can see us, we can see them. It's pretty amazing that we can actually do this." The main goal of a Turkey Shoot is to further train pilots in suppression of enemy air defense - the primary doctrine at the Air Force installations that participated. The competing squadrons also coordinated with Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. for air weapons systems during the exercise. The virtual competition has several advantages as an alternative to "real world" competitions that can cost about $9 million. "There were no personnel or maintenance package deployments," said Colonel Scott Manning, Commander of the Warrior Preparation Center in Einsiedlerhof, Germany. "This is an extraordinary capability, nearly 20 years in the making, which we'll be ready to 'host' here next year as well." No pilots had to step foot on a flight line or into a jet because simulators were linked virtually to Tinker allowing audio and visual communication throughout the exercise between each flying squadron and weapons specialists. The week-long exercise was made possible by the Distributed Mission Operations network, which enabled video teleconferences for pre- and post-scenario briefings and allotted time in the simulator for each pilot. Air Combat Command organized the event, the first combat Air Force-wide Turkey Shoot since 1995, said Captain Chock. Plans for future contests and training are underway based on the success of using virtual assets for integrated training. One of the most beneficial parts of the competition, Captain Chock said, was being able to work with fellow pilots and weapons specialists he may deploy with in the future. "The biggest benefit is we get to work with people we would otherwise not get to work with," Captain Chock said. "We learn how they operate, they learn how we operate. Since we're going to go to combat together, it's a great chance for us to work together without having to go on temporary duty." The exercise mission was to virtually escort four B-1 bombers to and from a specified target. A point system evaluated the pilots' success, granting points for certain maneuvers and bombs on target, while deducting points for getting hit or killed. Awarded were: Misawa's 13th Fighter Squadron for Top Fighter Squadron/Base; McEntire's 157th Fighter Squadron and Tinker's 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron for being overall Turkey Shoot winners; Tinker's 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron for Top AWACS Team; and McEntire's 157th Fighter Squadron for the Top F-16 four-ship.