Range Sustainability

Importance of Navy Training - Train As We Fight

Realistic training is the single greatest tool the Navy has in preparing and protecting its personnel. “Train As We Fight” is not just a phrase - it is a statement of the absolute necessity to realistically train men and women in uniform for the conditions they may encounter while protecting the nation.

Realistic training requires access to areas and environments that closely match the locations where our Sailors may face combat or complex situations. International events, changes in naval strategy, base closures, and population growth are increasing challenges the Navy faces in training its personnel. To respond to these challenges and increase the sustainability of Navy ranges, the Navy has launched a number of efforts aimed at preserving training ranges while also minimizing environmental effects of training activities. One such effort is the transition to managing training at a range complex-wide level to optimize the use of Navy ranges and provide for the efficient use of resources. The individual planning units are the range complexes shown in the figure below.

Navy Training and Testing Activities Comprehensive training is required to prepare for real life combat situations and to provide maximum protection to Service men and women who go in harm’s way. A variety of training exercises are conducted in the safe and controlled environments of the Navy’s range complexes, including, air, underwater and surface operations.

Preserving Navy Training Ranges

“Ranges” are locations where Navy and Marine Corps personnel train to accomplish their mission of national defense. Ranges are grouped into complexes (see figure on front page). A “range complex” is an organized and designated geographic area used by the Navy to conduct necessary operations and training exercises. Having a designated range complex allows our military to train and perform required exercises against a simulated enemy in an environment that is safe and controlled for our sailors and for other users of the area. Ensuring sustained use of Navy ranges, operational areas and airspace is a growing challenge as encroachment from various sources limits and sometimes restrict their use. Yet Naval personnel require access to continued, consistent, and realistic training opportunities using evolving technologies to defend our country.

The Navy has developed a comprehensive approach to “sustain” or preserve ranges for continued training access. The Tactical Training Theater Assessment and Planning (or “TAP”) program is a multi-faceted approach focusing on:

Mission readiness and strategic vision
Operational and training requirements, and enhanced range complex capabilities
Environmental and encroachment issues
Stakeholder and public involvement, and organizational efficiency

The objectives of the TAP program are to ensure the readiness of Navy personnel and promote sustainability of Navy ranges. Preserving ranges means actively managing resources to promote sustainability, including protecting natural and cultural resources and minimizing effects on the environment.


Ongoing Environmental Planning

Alongside TAP efforts, the Navy is preparing several environmental planning documents focused on individual types of Navy training activities. Some of these ongoing efforts analyze training exercises across multiple range complexes and assist the Navy with environmental planning for the range complex. Examples include:

Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training (AFAST) Major Atlantic Fleet training exercises
Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR)

The Next Phase of Environmental Planning

This EIS/OEIS furthers the objectives of the Navy’s TAP program and will comprehensively analyze Navy training and testing within the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex. This EIS/OEIS will also ensure compliance with U.S. environmental laws and provide continuing opportunity for public review and comment.

 

Train As We Fight

Defending the U.S. and protecting military personnel requires rigorous, real-life training in the air, on land, and at sea. Realistic training is one of the most important things the Navy does to ensure readiness and to prepare and protect the U.S. military. “Train As We Fight” is not just a phrase - it is a statement of the absolute necessity for realistic training and preparing service members for the conditions in which they may find themselves. Training to prepare for national defense also is required by Title 10 of the U.S. Code which states: “The Navy shall be organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained combat incident to operations at sea.”


Navy training includes:

Navy training in the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex includes:

Classroom and simulator training – involves individual Navy units and typically lasts for less than one day.

Pilot Training – Primary and advanced training for pilots, navigators, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operators.

Basic level training – involves individual Navy units and typically lasts for less than one day.


Intermediate level training – involves coordinated exercises, such as the Composite Training Unit Exercises, and can span a three-week period. This integrated training can involve an entire carrier strike group, which is composed of aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, cruisers, submarines and support ships. After completion of this training, units are considered “surge ready,” meaning they can deploy on short notice if required.

Advanced level training- occurs during large-scale Joint Task Force Exercises. These exercises last about 10 days and usually include other Department of Defense and allied nation participants.


 

Navy operations in the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex include the following:

Aircraft Training:

Training can include jet aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicle flights, and can involve deployment of guns, missiles or sonobuoys (used to detect underwater sounds). Training can be against a mock enemy ship, submarine or other aircraft. Unmanned aerial vehicle events are predominantly used for training in surveillance and intelligence gathering.

Surface Training:

The Navy uses vessels ranging in size from rubber hull inflatable boats to aircraft carriers. Training can include activities geared toward improving navigation skills, object recognition through sonar use, underwater mine avoidance, and anti-terrorism measures. It can also involve gun or missile firings. Smaller ships generally train in shallow water areas to practice skills such as drug interdiction and the defense of larger ships.

SubSurface Training:

Submarine training involves tracking ships or other submarines, and can include simulated attacks on surface ships or submarines. These activities may also involve the use of passive (listening) sonar for tracking purposes. Active sonar, which allows the Navy to “see” underwater by emitting pulses of sound, may also be used at a more limited level. (For more information about Navy use of sonar, please visit www.afasteis.gcsaic. com). Submarines also conduct mobility activities in complex environments and situations, underwater mine avoidance, and the deployment of special operations forces.

Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation:

RDT&E includes the development of new vessels, aircraft and weapons systems. RDT&E allows the Navy to increase its understanding of the actual battlefield environment, improve system design and performance, and maintain the technological edge necessary to meet future military requirements. RDT&E activities analyzed in this EIS/OEIS will be those similar to the Navy training operations conducted within the Gulf of Mexico Range Complex.