Warrior Preparation Center
Encyclopedia
The Warrior Preparation Center ("WPC") was founded in 1982 by Colonel "Moody" Suter and is located in Einsiedlerhof, Germany (near Ramstein Air Base
). Through its computer simulation and state-of-the-art software programs, the Warrior Preparation Center, enables commanders to effectively simulate the conduct of air, land and sea campaigns at anytime, day or night, and never spill a drop of blood.
The United States Air Forces in Europe
(USAFE) organized the Warrior Preparation Center in 1983 as a concept and computer simulation center focusing initially on air defense
and electronic warfare
. The first commander, Colonel Moody Suter, was a visionary who also developed the Air Force
’s Red Flag exercises. Given their shared concerns on air defense and other joint issues, the U.S. Army
joined the simulation effort in 1984, with the Navy
following in 1996.
The WPC, as it is commonly referred to, is now a joint USAREUR and USAFE training facility for senior level battle commanders and their staffs. Its mission is to provide them with the opportunity to train for joint and combined prosecution of war using interactive computer simulation, which as closely as possible replicates NATO’s real world environment. Through a robust and sophisticated communications network, the WPC carries the fight to US and NATO battle commander’s wartime headquarters, thus making it possible to conduct realistic training virtually anywhere in the world. It also allows commanders the luxury of being able to get inside the enemy’s head, even before they know who the enemy is.
The Distributed Wargaming System concept was conceived and pioneered at the Center for use in the first ever NATO-wide simulation exercise Allied Command Europe (ACE 89). This effort grew until Global Distributed Wargaming became a reality. In 1992, the WPC began to assist the Korea Battle Simulation Center with the conduct of the annual exercise Ulchi Focus Lens. More recently, the WPC has set up and hosted numerous exercises with worldwide focus. In May 1999, Operation Shining Hope
kicked off with the WPC providing administrative and logistical support. President
Clinton
visited the WPC to observe the exercise in progress. In January 2000, the WPC hosted EC00, a USCINCEUR-directed, USAREUR-led Joint Task Force training exercise consisting of over 600 participants with training goals of rehearsing and refining operations, as well as activating and deploying a Joint Task Force. In November 2000, Constant Harmony 00, a distributed NATO Joint Warfighter exercise was conducted at the WPC for the Regional Headquarters Allied Forces North Europe and its staff. The USAFE sponsored exercise Union Flash 01 was conducted at the WPC and Ramstein Air Base in April 2001, training the Joint Force Air Component Commander, The Joint Air Operations Center and the USAREUR Battlefield Coordination Element.
Ramstein Air Base
Ramstein Air Base is a United States Air Force base in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz. It serves as headquarters for the United States Air Forces in Europe and is also a North Atlantic Treaty Organization installation...
). Through its computer simulation and state-of-the-art software programs, the Warrior Preparation Center, enables commanders to effectively simulate the conduct of air, land and sea campaigns at anytime, day or night, and never spill a drop of blood.
The United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
(USAFE) organized the Warrior Preparation Center in 1983 as a concept and computer simulation center focusing initially on air defense
Anti-aircraft warfare
NATO defines air defence as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action." They include ground and air based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements and passive measures. It may be to protect naval, ground and air forces...
and electronic warfare
Electronic warfare
Electronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults via the spectrum. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly...
. The first commander, Colonel Moody Suter, was a visionary who also developed the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
’s Red Flag exercises. Given their shared concerns on air defense and other joint issues, the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
joined the simulation effort in 1984, with the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
following in 1996.
The WPC, as it is commonly referred to, is now a joint USAREUR and USAFE training facility for senior level battle commanders and their staffs. Its mission is to provide them with the opportunity to train for joint and combined prosecution of war using interactive computer simulation, which as closely as possible replicates NATO’s real world environment. Through a robust and sophisticated communications network, the WPC carries the fight to US and NATO battle commander’s wartime headquarters, thus making it possible to conduct realistic training virtually anywhere in the world. It also allows commanders the luxury of being able to get inside the enemy’s head, even before they know who the enemy is.
The Distributed Wargaming System concept was conceived and pioneered at the Center for use in the first ever NATO-wide simulation exercise Allied Command Europe (ACE 89). This effort grew until Global Distributed Wargaming became a reality. In 1992, the WPC began to assist the Korea Battle Simulation Center with the conduct of the annual exercise Ulchi Focus Lens. More recently, the WPC has set up and hosted numerous exercises with worldwide focus. In May 1999, Operation Shining Hope
Operation Shining Hope
Joint Task Force Shining Hope was the United States contribution to Operation Allied Harbour. The mission of JTF Shining Hope was to conduct foreign humanitarian assistance operations in support of US government agencies and non-governmental and international organizations engaged in providing...
kicked off with the WPC providing administrative and logistical support. President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
visited the WPC to observe the exercise in progress. In January 2000, the WPC hosted EC00, a USCINCEUR-directed, USAREUR-led Joint Task Force training exercise consisting of over 600 participants with training goals of rehearsing and refining operations, as well as activating and deploying a Joint Task Force. In November 2000, Constant Harmony 00, a distributed NATO Joint Warfighter exercise was conducted at the WPC for the Regional Headquarters Allied Forces North Europe and its staff. The USAFE sponsored exercise Union Flash 01 was conducted at the WPC and Ramstein Air Base in April 2001, training the Joint Force Air Component Commander, The Joint Air Operations Center and the USAREUR Battlefield Coordination Element.