SEPTEMBER 26, 2016, SAN DIEGO (NNS) – The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Littoral Combat Ship Training Facility (LTF) at Naval Base San Diego (NBSD), Sept. 22.
The speakers for this significant event were Capt. Bill McKinley, CSCS commanding officer; Capt. E. Scott Pratt, Program Executive Office Littoral Combat Ship (PEO LCS) Fleet Introduction and Sustainment (PMS-505) program manager; and Capt. Ron Toland, Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center (FLEASWTRACEN) commanding officer.
“Our relationship with the LCS community began in 2012 when the LTF was internally realigned from CSCS Detachment San Diego to Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center,” Toland began. “Today, you will experience this relationship firsthand and observe how our training continues to exceed the standard naval surface warfare training.”
Pratt highlighted some examples of technology and training that will reside in the new LTF.
“The LTF will be home to three Independence variant Integrated Tactical Trainers, or ITTs,” he explained. “The ITT is comprised of a high-fidelity full mission bridge, a bridge wing trainer, a fully-functional combat system trainer, and a mission package trainer. Each trainer can be operated independently to focus on team training with that specific team. They can also be linked together to train all three teams in more complex missions and tasks.”
McKinley outlined CSCS’ essential role in the LCS community, and the team approach that has resulted in the very successful unveiling of this cutting-edge training facility.
“Numerous Navy commands and organizations including Naval Surface Forces, Program Executive Office Littoral Combat Ship, Surface Warfare (OPNAV N96), Naval Education and Training Command, Navy Region Southwest, Surface Warfare Officers School Command, Center for Information Warfare Training, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest, Naval Base San Diego, Training Support Center San Diego, Coronado Council United States Navy League, and industry partners have come together to deliver a gold-standard LCS training facility to the fleet,” McKinley said.
Training operations began in 2007 at Building 3292, located on the “dry side” of NBSD, becoming the first surface warfare training facility to provide integrated bridge and combat systems tactical-scenario training for Sailors serving aboard a LCS. From 2009 through 2015, however, the amount of LTF training equipment has significantly increased to support fleet requirements.
When McKinley, Pratt, and Toland cut the ribbon officially opening the new LTF, the LCS community witnessed another milestone in surface combat systems training.
CSCS’ mission is to develop and deliver surface ship combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority. CSCS headquarters’ staff oversees 14 learning sites and provides nearly 70,000 hours of curriculum for 700 courses each year to more than 40,000 Sailors. CSCS delivers specialized training for officers and enlisted Sailors required to tactically operate, maintain, and employ shipboard and shore-based weapons, sensors, and command and control systems utilized in today’s Navy.