Personnel from newly reformed 20 Squadron have conducted the latest iteration of the Combat Ready Operators Course (CROC). As part of the CROC, Exercise CERBERUS REVENGE is a synthetic large force exercise used as the first assessed phase, partly run by Synthetics Section, 20 Squadron. SAC Miller is a Sim Pilot in this section and has been heavily involved with the exercise, he kindly offered an insight into his experience performing his role in an exercise:
During Exercise CERBERUS REVENGE, Sim Pilots from 20 Squadron’s Synthetics Section took on the roles of allied and enemy aircraft in a simulated threat environment. This included front line assets, such as the F-35B and Typhoon as well as support aircraft such as Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) and Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) platforms. We also simulated allied and enemy aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor and SU-37 Flanker.
Each Sim Pilot took charge of up to 16 different aircraft at any one time, conducting both defensive and offensive missions.
In the lead up to the Exercise we focused our training on conducting offensive and defensive presentations, along with new 4th/5th generation fighter integration methods. Before each execution phase, our team met with the exercise leaders to run through the plan and ensure that what they wanted could be accurately replicated in a synthetic environment.
In total 12 Synthetics Section members were involved, ranging from Senior Aircraftman to Flight Lieutenant, with additional input and direction from civilian experts. We split ourselves into Friendly and Enemy forces, with a marshalling team to assist with organising assets throughout the runs. Over the two weeks the mission directives changed, and we had to change procedures with them.
Our synthetics training increases our understanding of the Battlespace Management tactics being used, including weapon platform capabilities and war time communications. Many in the section had never experienced anything of this scale but all came out with more knowledge and practical experience. The practical training and theory we received have made us all aware of how we can deliver more in our day to day training, which in turn allows us to contribute more realistic presentations to controller students who require as accurate a simulation as possible.
Working directly with the Instructors has allowed us to demonstrate just how much work goes into making a complex and realistic synthetic training environment.
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