ABTC Receive AOC 1 Group Commendation
09 Dec 15
News
The team at the Air Battlespace Training Centre at RAF Waddington has been awarded an AOC 1 Group Commendation in the recently published Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Inzpire’s 16-strong Synthetic Training division form a critical element of the team, particularly within the training domain and work in the ABTC alongside regular and reserve military personnel and a number of employees from other defence contractors.
The citation, as officially published in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, is as below:
“The team at the Air Battlespace Training Centre (ABTC) is being nominated for this award for their outstanding performance and contribution to the development and delivery of synthetic training during Defence’s realignment to the contingent environment. The ABTC has evolved from a research facility to a proficient and competent unit that has provided world class pre-deployment training to Force elements for Op HERRICK and Op SHADER. In a safe but realistic synthetic environment, the team has prepared individuals to make timely and accurate decisions in complex situations, developing skills that have been utilised as soon as the individual arrived in theatre. This training has undoubtedly contributed to saving lives on the front line. The ABTC team deserves this award for their teamwork and determination to prepare units for contingent ops, by producing at least 5 new exercises, and ensuring that synthetic training remains at the forefront of tactical-level training.
As UK Forces have withdrawn from Afghanistan, the ABTC has successfully provided a synthetic environment to prepare forces for the contingent battlespace. With the tools and infrastructure available at the ABTC, this has been no small task. The Team has proved innovative, resourceful and incredibly proactive to ensure the relevance and credibility of the ABTC endures. The ABTC comprises both regular and reserve military personnel, while 75% of the workforce are contracted individuals from Inzpire, QinetiQ, Plexsys and Boeing: as such, the ABTC exemplifies the Whole Force Concept, in which all have worked tirelessly to overcome commercial challenges in order to create a high-quality operational training experience.
The demands of Army transition from Afghanistan to a contingent footing should not be underestimated. 10 years of counter-insurgency operations have diluted Army experience and the ABTC has been pivotal in informing, advising and delivering a synthetic exercise that allows individuals to refocus on high-end warfighting. Following 12 months of research, analysis of training objectives and exercise preparation, elements from 1 Artillery Brigade undertook Exercise STEEL DRAGON. The delivery of the exercise was faultless and the feedback from training units exceptional. This is a direct reflection of the time and effort committed by the ABTC team to developing and implementing new scenarios. The shift to a contingent footing is not unique to the Army. At short notice, the Team produced a mission scenario to prepare the AWACS E3-D Force for Op SHADER. Ultimately a team product, the initial inspiration and drive came from the contracted personnel within the ABTC and a scenario was delivered within 48 hours. The ABTC was also tasked to prepare AIR players, comprising Typhoon, E-3D, No.1 ACC and Sentinel crews, for their participation in Exercise RED FLAG. The delivery of this new exercise was in addition to routine ABTC tasks and required all personnel to work above and beyond that expected. The result was that UK players in Ex RED FLAG 15/1 were familiar with the airspace, scenarios and procedures before deploying to the US, thereby significantly de-risking and enhancing UK participation.
This type of initiative and dedication is normal for the ABTC, demonstrating that the Team absolutely encapsulates the Whole Force Concept and fully understood the importance of delivering operationally-focused output. It is the determination, innovation and passion of the entire team that have ensured that the ABTC can be continually relied upon to deliver superb contemporary training”.
For more information on Inzpire's Synthetic Training division, please click here
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