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Global Mobility Wargame 2008 explores the future of air mobility

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol
  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs
FORT DIX, N.J. --  From June 16 to 20 within the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here, wartime planners from across the Air Force, Army and coalition nations investigate future concepts in air mobility through Global Mobility Wargame, or GLOMO, 2008.

"GLOMO helps shape Air Mobility Command's strategic planning via evaluation of air mobility and logistics capabilities 12 years in the future," said Lt. Col. Andrew Jillions, from the Mobility Operations School and the USAF EC's team chief for GLOMO 2008. "Given the future global environment, GLOMO helps identify opportunities to improve air mobility and logistics effectiveness and efficiency."

First held in 2002, GLOMO is an annual event bringing together people who can help the Air Force's and Department of Defense's global mobility and logistics systems better plan and build new concepts and ideas. According to Colonel Jillions, GLOMO helps transform the Air Force into more efficient ways to complete its mobility business.

"For GLOMO 2008, we explore service, joint and interagency warfighting concepts," Colonel Jillions said. "Biggest of all, GLOMO 2008 helps develop Air Force force-flow for Unified Engagement 2008."

Unified Engagement 2008 is an Air Force wargame exercise designed to examine applications in aerospace power to support warfighting commanders-in-chief. During UE 2006, an Air Force News story said the purpose of UE is "to investigate emerging Air Force, sister service, joint and multi-national operational concepts and capabilities, learn how to prevent technological, strategic and operational surprise, and to advance coordination among global security partners."

"Unified Engagement helps examine challenges commanders stay awake thinking about - 12 years into the future," Colonel Jillions said. "We're using the same type of concept with GLOMO 2008."

Retired Gen. Charles "Tony" Robertson, former U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command commander, is serving as the senior mentor for GLOMO 2008. He said GLOMO 2008 will have a lasting impact on future operations.

"GLOMO 2008 will shape future U.S. and Coalition mobility concepts and ensure we are responsible stewards of tax payer's assets," General Robertson said. "Our global reach capability enables our military to be very responsive to any worldwide crisis. GLOMO helps us create the mobility programs, and exercise the systems, that will be needed by Joint and Coalition Forces in future conflicts."

This year's edition of GLOMO is also investigating, and factoring in, a changing world environment where even the smallest factor, such as the price of fuel, can affect the future of air mobility.

"GLOMO 2008 also explores the risks of mobility air forces' reliance on petroleum-based fuels," Colonel Jillions said. "We're looking at learning and understanding more about the opportunities and implications of using alternative energy sources."

Wargames such as GLOMO have historically helped the Air Force be better prepared. In terms of doctrine, according to Air Force Doctrine Document 1-1, Leadership and Force Development, "wargames offer additional tools for developing and evaluating competencies of individuals and organizations."

AFDD 1-1 points to the first GLOMO as an example. "In August 2002, the Global Mobility Wargame analyzed and experimented with how the Air Force and Defense Department global mobility and logistics systems must come into play before and during the fight to make sure all the necessary people and equipment are deployed to the right place at the right time to meet mission requirements."

Brig. Gen. S. "Taco" Gilbert, Director of Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs at Headquarters AMC, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and the Game Director for GLOMO, said, "GLOMO 2008 is providing insights that directly influence the progress of programs and employment concepts which will shape the future of mobility forces."