Unprecedented International Participation to Stress-Test Fleet Capabilities
The US Navy’s Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2025, slated for later this summer, will feature first-time participation from Canada, Japan, and NATO. This year’s iteration aims to challenge the fleet’s communication prowess both up and down the chain of command, as well as with allied forces.
A Unique Exercise Focused on Global Naval Conflict
LSE 2025 marks the third iteration of the Navy’s global maritime exercise, distinguished by its exclusive naval focus. The exercise is designed to simulate the pressures of a global conflict, pushing the Navy and Marine Corps to their limits to identify potential weaknesses.
Extensive Planning and Global Coordination
Rear Adm. Kenneth Blackmon, the exercise’s director, revealed that planning for LSE 2025 commenced immediately after the conclusion of the 2023 event. The exercise control group consists of nearly 900 personnel operating worldwide, including assessors, exercise controllers, and individuals simulating vessel movements in virtual and constructive environments. Specific scenario details remain undisclosed.
Broad Participation Across Fleets and Commands
Capt. Chris Narducci, the exercise’s lead planner, indicated that LSE 2025 will involve participation from all of the Navy’s numbered fleets (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 10th) along with the three four-star operational commands (Fleet Forces, Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and Pacific Fleet), and their Marine Corps counterparts.
Simulated International Engagement
The inclusion of NATO, Canadian, and Japanese forces will be „replicated,” meaning that personnel from these entities will role-play as relevant officials with whom American commanders would interact during a conflict scenario. Retired flag and general officers, as well as American officials, will simulate orders and inputs from the Secretary of Defense, combatant commanders, and other leaders.
Focus on Communication, Not Live Assets
While foreign countries and NATO will participate, they will not deploy live assets such as planes or warships during the exercise.
Blending Live, Virtual, and Constructive Forces
LSE events utilize a mix of live, virtual, and constructive forces. Live forces consist of physically present ships, submarines, and aircraft executing assigned missions. Virtual assets are simulated, such as an enemy plane appearing on radar. Constructive forces involve real assets, such as warships, participating remotely.
Emphasizing the Complexity of Naval Operations
Brig. Gen. Thomas Armas, deputy commander of Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic, emphasized the challenging nature of the exercise, stating, „Nothing is easy, and the sailors and Marines make this look easy. … This is very hard, and you lose the ability to do it quickly. So we have to maintain those reps and sets to ensure that we have this capability no matter where it is, no matter what the scenario.”
