Warrior Preparation Center earns excellence award

  • Published
  • By Capt. Kevin Coffman
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
EINSIEDLERHOF, Germany --  The Warrior Preparation Center in Einsiedlerhof, Germany, recently earned the 2009 Excellence in Enterprise Integration Award.
 
The 2009 Excellence in Enterprise Integration Award is given to one government and one industry project team for excellence and innovation in developing and deploying enterprise solutions that have profound consequences on improving the performance and value of their enterprise. 

The award was for the Live Virtual Constructive Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and Joint Fires Observers Training Program which allows for simulation rather than using live aircraft. 

The WPC, in cooperation with Alion Science and Technology, constructed a low cost, low fidelity and generic virtual fighter simulator called the Advanced Tactical Aircraft Simulator (ATAS). 

According to Maj. Jason Koltes, Director of Operations at the WPC, the ATAS uses the Air Force Synthetic Environment for Reconnaissance and Surveillance system to simulate various combat scenarios, such as Close Air Support. 

The ATAS simulator fulfills the role of the traditional fighter aircraft. The pilot executes CAS procedures in accordance with standard tactics, techniques and procedures using visual ground references and a targeting pod video. 

"We are honored that we were chosen to receive this prestigious award," said Maj Koltes. "Our only hope is that we can improve training for the joint warfighter."
The WPC's mission is realistic warfighter training using full-spectrum LVC capability to support combat operations. 

Major Koltes said the ATAS system delivers realistic training and is the first step in transforming the WPC organization into a leading innovator in LVC JTAC/JFO training operations. 

The WPC now offers the Air Force and Army an alternative means to train JTACs/JFOs.
Since the WPC is part of USAFE, it has a strategic need to work with coalition partners in training and combat operations. The ATAS is a completely unclassified simulator. Since it is unclassified it can be utilized to train foreign countries JTACs. 

"Each member of the WPC strives hard to solve the complex problems," said Major Koltes. "We all work together to succeed knowing it is the warfighter that reap the benefit, not us." 

The ATAS simulator cost about $8,000 to purchase. The entire system consists of four small monitors, a throttle, joystick, a CPU and two multi-function display monitors. The system can easily be disassembled, crated and carried to a deployed location. 

"It was only through the true dedication and hard work of each member of the WPC team that we were able to finish our project and make it succeed," said Major Koltes.