The 25th Infantry Division conducted a major training exercise to validate newly upgraded command-and-control systems designed to improve communication and decision-making in tactical operations, the U.S. Army announced.
Exercise Nakoa Fleek served as the final test for the division's Lightning Surge 5 campaign, a months-long effort to modernize its communications architecture. The three-phase exercise, which included an air assault operation on September 23, tested the division's ability to integrate new communication gear, sensors, and command-and-control nodes under realistic Pacific region training conditions.
During the first phase, running September 14-17, soldiers and industry partners worked to integrate the new systems. Subsequent phases focused on defensive operations and tactical maneuvers under simulated combat conditions.
"The goal is to get the right data to the right leader at the right time," said Army Major Rebecca Borrebach, the division's lead data engineer. "We're validating our ability to push a common operating picture from the cloud to the tactical edge, even in a disconnected environment."
The exercise certified the division's Warrior Brigade for future operations and tested the systems' ability to function when connectivity is limited or disrupted. Lessons from the exercise will shape the next phase of the modernization effort, Lightning Surge 6, scheduled for next month's Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center rotation.