Joint exercise includes simulators

The military started its first exercise this week to better train commanders about waging war with U.S. and coalition forces.

The 13-day Joint National Training Capability Horizontal Training exercise uses live forces, manned simulators and computer environments that more fully prepare the services, agencies and coalition countries for combat in modern warfare, said a statement from Joint Forces Command, which oversees the event.

The military exercise links participants at 16 sites nationwide, including training simulators and computer simulations at 12 locations. The event involves:

* Soldiers at the Army's National Training Center, located at Fort Irwin, Calif.

* Airmen at the Air Force's Air Warrior facility, located at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

* Marines at the Marine Corps' Air/Ground Combat Center, located at Twenty-nine Palms, Calif.

* Sailors aboard ships in the port of San Diego.

"The Joint National Training Capability, first conceived in March 2002, creates a robust training environment that more fully prepares the services, government agencies and multinational coalition partners for joint operations against the adversaries of today and tomorrow," said Joint Forces Command's Web site.

The command, located in Norfolk, Va., will use training exercises like these to make the Joint National Training Capability fully operational by October, the statement said.