Published Wednesday March 7th, 2007

Appeared on page A1

A dozen infantry soldiers at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown sit in front of computers, moving digital versions of themselves through a simulated Afghan town.

In a cavernous room nearby, a LAV III crew sits inside a vehicle custom fitted with computer screens around its view ports and sights, ready to participate in the same virtual raid.

Hundreds of kilometres away, a CF-18 fighter pilot settles into his flight simulator, looking down at the soldiers and armoured vehicles, waiting for any air support requests.

The attack begins.

Welcome to the future of advanced training for the Canadian Forces, a future where video games and simulators work in concert to create compelling linked training experiences.

While the Canadian military has been using simulators for years, a comprehensive networked digital training scenario isn\'t a reality yet for the Forces.

But a growing team of soldiers and civilians at CFB Gagetown are hoping to achieve this kind of "integrated synthetic environment program" as part of their quest to reshape learning from the classroom to combat.

As they pursue their goal, the contingent at CFB Gagetown is creating opportunities for the revitalization of the e-learning sector in New Brunswick.

It could also create a major animation and video game industry in the province.

The military\'s efforts have already yielded early successes.

"Over the past year the growth and development of our programs have really flourished," said Major Tim Workman, head of the training and technology group within the Army Individual Training Authority (AITA) at Gagetown.

Among the efforts developed by the AITA is a game called Canadian Forces: Direct Action.

The game is a custom modification of a popular commercial title called SWAT 4.

The changes allow the game, originally designed around police weapons and tactics, to feature realistic Canadian military uniforms, weapons and training scenarios.

Workman said the use of Direct Action on a trial basis has led to its adoption as a mainstay for future training.

The army-made game has also attracted the attention of the RCMP and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, he said.

Along with developing simulation-based training, Workman\'s group is also working on new e-learning and distance education programs for the military.

They\'re also exploring the best ways to deliver training to troops deployed overseas.

Workman said the army\'s next-generation training efforts are leading to opportunities for New Brunswick companies and high-tech graduates. It also has the potential to attract new firms to the province.

"New Brunswick is home to so many fantastic capabilities, people and technology.

"We believe this could be an incredible benefit to not just where we need to go, but also for the province," he said.

Efforts to lure major gaming and animation companies to the province as part of the work at CFB Gagetown are well underway.

The base and the province have been working together to entice a major U.S. company to set up shop in New Brunswick.

"We\'ve been working with (the U.S. company) since the spring of 2006 and we\'ve been working in partnership with CFB Gagetown to attract them here," said Business New Brunswick spokeswoman Sarah Ketcheson.

"They\'re looking to expand and they like what we have to offer."

She couldn\'t reveal the name of the company.

Ketcheson said landing the company would result in the creation of high-paying jobs that would appeal to young, skilled technology workers.

The military is also seeking a partnership with the province to offer internships to community college and private college animation and gaming graduates as part of its efforts, said Workman.

Transforming education and training in the army is the focus of an upcoming conference at CFB Gagetown that will bring together the military, private companies, universities and the provincial government.

The military, LearnNB and the New Brunswick Aerospace and Defence Association are hosting the two-day conference in April.

Retired Air Force Lieut. Gen. Lou Cuppens, president of the provincial defence industry association, said the development of advanced simulation training at CFB Gagetown represents a "quantum leap" for the army.

Cuppens said one benefit of using simulation and video games in training is that it takes advantage of skills already developed by young recruits.

"The young people that are joining us are very experienced at computer technology and simulation," he said.

"For them, it\'s a skill set they\'re used to."

Kathy Watt, president of LearnNB, said she was pleased with how the military realized its activities could benefit New Brunswick and reached out to other players in the province.

"We see a huge potential not only in the opportunity in the growth and development of the learning industry in the province but also from an economic development perspective," she said.

"This particular opportunity gives us a rallying point to grow the whole learning industry."