YOKOSUKA, Japan – Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC), in conjunction with SCSTC Detachment Western Pacific (WESTPAC), held a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil the AEGIS Weapon System Virtual Operator Trainer (VOT) onboard Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, April 8. 
 
Rear Adm. Erik J. Eslich, deputy commander, U.S. 7th Fleet; Capt. George A. Kessler, Jr., commodore, SCSTC; Mr. Brian J. Deters, executive director, SCSTC; and Lt. Cmdr. Michael J. Arnold, officer-in-charge, SCSTC Detachment WESTPAC, participated in the event.
 
“We are providing highly effective tactical employment training for the Fleet through fielding a virtual solid state system using real tactical code,” Kessler explained. “In addition, we are doing so at a cost that enables the surface force to put this trainer not only in our schoolhouses, but also at our fleet concentration areas. Ship commanding officers will be able to use this VOT with their watch team, ensuring our warfighters have the tactical competence and proficiency needed to execute the mission across the spectrum of operations in today’s challenging environment.”
 
This trainer supports individual or sub-team training on Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD).
 
“There are six operator stations, plus an instructor scenario station for baseline 9 high-fidelity sub-team IAMD training,” Arnold said.  “Our instructors can recreate a complex and dynamic simulated environment to build tactical proficiency from the newest fire controlman aegis technician to major commander.”
 
The trainer was funded by Director, Surface Warfare’s (OPNAV N96) program of record, Surface Training Advanced Virtual Environment-Combat Systems (STAVE-CS), which was introduced in 2015 as a means to provide better quality training resulting in more rapid qualifications of our Sailors. 
 
The Aegis VOT also aligns to the Navy’s Ready, Relevant Learning (RRL), a program created to improve and modernize personnel management and training systems. This innovative technical solution increases the amount of “reps and sets” Sailors perform on tactical software, significantly improving the quality of training and maximizing knowledge retention.
 
This trainer was made possible by the execution of a strong and dedicated team.
 
“By working closely with Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Naval Sea Systems Command’s Surface Ship Training Systems Program Office (PMS 339), Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS) 1.0,  and our industry partners, the Aegis VOT became a reality,” Deters said.  “The Aegis VOT will enhance the skills and abilities of our warfighters across the globe and in turn, prepare them for the high-end fight.” Surface Combat Systems Training Command (SCSTC)* falls under the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC).  NETC, led by Rear Adm. Peter Garvin, is the U.S. Navy’s Force Development pillar and largest shore command.  NETC’s mission is to recruit and hire talented civilians, deliver training and education to transform civilians into Sailors and distribute accession Sailors to the Fleet to maximize readiness and ensure mission success; to provide specialized training and educational tools to advance the personal and professional development of Sailors throughout their career; and serve as sole claimant for individual training and education and as the principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (COMUSFLTFORCOM) on training and education related matters.
 
* SCSTC is a training organization of over 6,500 staff and students across 12 global locations and implements culture of excellence and warrior toughness by building a surface warrior mindset to complement the technical and tactical skillsets of building the kill chain and closing the fire control loop. SCSTC delivers system and platform specific combat systems training to a growing surface Navy. SCSTC delivers training to over 35,000 U.S. Navy Sailors as well as 700 international Sailors from 22 partner nations annually.  Our overall mission is to train the fleet so that our Navy can fight and win!