Some 'Real' Talk About the Military Simulation World With RADM (Ret.) Fred Lewis

One of the most truly fascinating events we cover each year is the annual I/ITSEC event in central Florida. Known more formally as the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference, 'I/ITSEC' promotes cooperation among the Armed Services, Industry, Academia and various Government agencies in pursuit of improved training and education programs, identification of common training issues and development of multiservice programs.

Initiated in 1966 as the Naval Training Device Center/Industry Conference, the conference has evolved and expanded through increased participation by the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Industry. In 1979 it became known as the Interservice/Industry Training Equipment Conference. The Services have steadily evolved toward a total systems philosophy in the acquisition of training equipment and training delivery systems. In 1986 the Conference name was further refined to the Interservice/Industry Training Systems Conference (I/ITSC) to recognize the increased importance of Manpower, Personnel, and Training aspects in the systems acquisition process.

In 1992 the name was further changed to the Interservice/Industry Training Systems and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) to reflect the consolidation of the Manpower and Training Committee (MTC) and the Technology and Innovations in Training and Education (TITE) Conference with I/ITSEC. This change emphasizes the importance of education and the man-machine interface in meeting force-training requirements through simulation training. In 1997, to reflect continued growth and changes in the industry, the conference name was refined to the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC).

ANN was fortunate enough to score an intriguing and insightful interview with the President of the National Training and Simulation Association, RADM Fred Lewis (USN-Ret) about the military simulation industry and the critical issues that may determine its future. Admiral Lewis is a man who understands the value of simulation based on years of hard experience in the real world. Lewis graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1962 and was designated a naval aviator in November 1963.

After an initial tour of duty as a flight instructor, he trained in the F-4 Phantom and participated in numerous operational deployments to the Atlantic and Pacific and twice deployed to the Gulf of Tonkin for combat operations over North Vietnam. Subsequently, he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and led the stand-up of the Atlantic Fleet’s F-14 FRS. During a 33 year career, he accumulated over 6,500 accident-free flying hours in tactical aircraft and over 1,200 carrier arrested landings.

FMI: www.iitsec.org, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews