For nearly three decades, SOF’s pursuit to virtually preview the battlespace before physically occupying it has ebbed and flowed.  This was exemplified in Special Operations Aviation’s use of TOPSCENE®, a mission rehearsal system used during Operation Joint Endeavor (1996-1997).  This permitted Special Operators to gain route and objective area situational awareness before mission launching.  Today, with current advances in technology, all of SOF anticipates previewing the environment with all its complexities (weather, altitude, illumination, enemy capabilities, etc.) prior to entering the physical battlespace. 

How has SOF met the challenges of integrating data, training, and mission rehearsal/planning systems?  What are SOF’s tactical needs in the synthetic sphere?   What simulation capabilities would better assist SOF to dominate the environment of growing kinetic and non-kinetic threats?  

Special Operators from USSOCOM’s four Service Components will speak to their professional experiences in the synthetic battlespace before entering the physical battlespace, having understood many of the complexities before arriving at the forward operating base.