Large Scale Exercise 2023 Convenes at Norfolk: Check Details Here!

Naval Station Norfolk, Va. was the epicenter of a colossal naval exercise known as Large Scale Exercise 2023 (LSE). The event, held from August 9 to August 18, brought together over 50 commands from 22 time zones involving thousands of sailors, Marines, and numerous warships and submarines both real and simulated.

Large Scale Exercise 2023 boasts nearly 1,000 personnel, including retired admirals and generals referred to as “graybeards,” who lend their experience to role-play joint force commanders and civilian leadership. (Photo: News USNI Org)

Large Scale Exercise 2023 Convenes at Norfolk

In a discreet building on the base, an array of military personnel, journalists in tow, witnessed the nerve center of this massive exercise.

Rear Adm. Andrew Burcher, the vice commander of US Fleet Forces, described it as such. Inside, computer screens displayed ship hulls, strike group numbers, and partner and ally flags hung from the ceiling.

According to a published article, Large Scale Exercise 2023’s unique focus lies in its naval specificity. Unlike many military exercises that involve multiple branches or international cooperation, LSE tests the readiness of the US Navy and Marine Corps for a global conflict using their existing technology and training.

At its core, Large Scale Exercise 2023 aims to apply “objective tension” to Navy and Marine Corps leaders. This tension represents the inherent challenges faced by commanders when they must adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of a global conflict.

Capt. Chris Narducci, the Large Scale Exercise 2023’s lead planner, emphasized that this exercise spans from high-ranking fleet commanders to the sailors and Marines on the front lines, ensuring everyone is prepared for the challenges they may face.

READ ALSO: ‘Warning’ drills conducted by the Chinese military surrounding Taiwan after a senior island official visited the US

Largest Scale Exercise 2023’s Aspect

One notable aspect of the Large Scale Exercise 2023 is the virtual component.

Through “Live, Virtual and Constructive” training, scenarios and problems are injected into the operations, simulating the complexities of a real-world conflict. This could involve adversarial spy planes patrolling overhead or assets being tied up in other operations. Modern technology can virtually teleport crews from one location to another.

Large Scale Exercise 2023 boasts nearly 1,000 personnel, including retired admirals and generals referred to as “graybeards,” who lend their experience to role-play joint force commanders and civilian leadership.

Despite the exercise’s vast scale, it does not include the Army or Air Force. Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander of US Fleet Forces, explained that inviting additional services could make scheduling and participation unwieldy. The goal is to maintain a manageable exercise while still testing the Navy and Marine Corps capabilities on a global scale.

The Large Scale Exercise 2023’s leaders acknowledge the taxing nature of LSE but stress its importance in preparing for a world where conflicts are truly global in scope. This unique event combines real and virtual forces, creating intense scenarios that challenge commanders at all levels.

READ ALSO: Tragic MV-22B Osprey Crash Leaves 3 U.S. Marines Dead and 5 Injured During Australian Training