Bold Quest improves coalition combat identification

  • Published
  • By Casey Bain
  • Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team Public Affiars
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFPN) --  Officials from U.S. Joint Forces Command launched its premier Coalition Combat Identification Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, known as Bold Quest, Sept. 10 to 24 at Nellis Air Force Base and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. 

The exercise has the monumental task of assessing combat identification in order to improve combat effectiveness and reduce fratricide across all services and with our coalition partners.

The Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team, called JFIIT, a subordinate command of U.S. Joint Forces Command, is part of the team that includes representation from all U.S. services and an eight-nation coalition. The countries participating in this event include Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and NATO.

The Air Force has been designated the project lead for this demonstration, and is providing key participants including Air Force Special Operations Command from Hurlburt Field, Fla., the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron from Nellis AFB, the 552nd Air Control Wing from Tinker AFB, Okla., and the 116th Air Control Wing and the Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System Joint Task Force from Robbins AFB, Ga. 

"Bold Quest is the ideal venue to conduct such an important assessment of these combat identification technologies," said Lt. Col. Robert Coleman, the deputy commander of JFIIT. "Combat ID is one of the most crucial elements for us to consider as we continue to develop more lethal and capable weapon systems. Combat ID must be coalition interoperable, and pursuing this issue together as a (coalition) team will ensure its long term success."

"Combat identification has proven to be one of the most challenging and critical tasks facing warfighters of any generation, but is especially important in the modern era," said Navy Cmdr. Shannon Coulter, the JFIIT operational lead for Bold Quest. "As technology has allowed significant increases in engagement range, the corresponding difficulties associated with positive target identification have also risen. Bold Quest is working hard to close the gap between when we can pull the trigger and when we should pull the trigger, based on our ability to positively identify potential targets."

"The U.S. priorities in this project are currently oriented on the combat identification issues involved with the engagement of ground targets by coalition aircraft," said John Miller, the U.S. Joint Forces Command operational manager for the Coalition Combat Identification Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration. The U.S. effort in this Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration is generally focused on the tools required by aircrew and ground controllers who coordinate the attack or drop bombs on targets, enabling them to do that more quickly and effectively than they can today."

The primary objective of Bold Quest is to assess the military utility of designated cooperative and non-cooperative target identification technologies. 

"As in the case today, future conflicts will be fought alongside our coalition partners," Commander Coulter said. "The complexity and coordination required to execute military operations effectively in modern battlespace must be embedded in service, Joint, and coalition training prior to actual execution in combat. Bold Quest provides an incredible opportunity for coalition warfighters to come together and improve combat identification in a realistic operational environment."

More than 850 U.S. and coalition participants will take part in this two-week capstone combat identification demonstration. "This is a win-win for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and our allies," Commander Coulter said. "Anytime you can bring together a comprehensive group of U.S. and coalition (military) experts, in and out of uniform, to participate in a well synchronized and orchestrated tactical exercise, progress will be made." 

(Cherie Johnson also contributed to this story)

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