Connections 2000

Global Engagement

Lecture by Col. Thomas Ardern


The USAF Wargaming Institute is developing a game called Global Engagement that will be completely in place by 2010 in an effort to study and simulate emerging concepts in US force projection. For example, the first scenario test was that the US was faced with two simultaneous wars: one in Iraq and the other in Korea. Participants break off into multiple groups to examine policy problems and solutions, the results of their decision are then fed back into the game.

For example, one test involved Rapid Global Mobility with 24-48 hour transport function. What was the first transport sent? The logistics plane. But how and where? Where are the airborne tankers for refueling located? Where do you pull the fuel, bombs, fuel, housing, and other equipment from? And in which order and where to?

There were three Blue (US) teams (USAF, Army, and Navy) and three Red (enemy) teams. each Blue team was headed by a retired general/admiral and had 30 military and civilian members plus a support cell. Ditto the Red teams. Also provided: a panel to answer questions and three assessment teams (i.e. umpires).

Data came from multiple sources (using multiple acronyms), and the day started at 8 a.m. with a briefing of the previous day's events. Moves were to be handed in by noon, and the afternoon was taken up by scripting responses to create an end result--which became the briefing for the next day.

The most recent game, Prairie Warrior 2000 (May 8-20, with weekends off) concluded two days of combat over a week's period. It had a $315,000 budget.

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© Copyright 2001 Hal Thinglum
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