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Here's a great article I found at www.northwestnavigator.com: -- When a submarine is in dry dock it’s a little bit difficult for Submariners to hone their at- sea skills if they are not underway, so in order to build upon their readiness capabilities Trident Training Facility (TTF) on Naval Base Kitsap has incorporated the Sea Launched Attack Missile Exercise (SLAMEX) into their training sessions.  SLAMEX is usually performed at sea, but it can also be used in port to train Strike Group staffs, firing units and operators in all aspects of cruise missile employment, data base management and operation of installed tactical data processors. Several local Sub Sailors got to participate in the quarterly SLAMEX Jan. 20. TTF is the first ashore facility to participate in this weeklong exercise. During the SLAMEX, Sailors simulate a battle group and then they begin to initialize their fire control systems and operate them the same as if the ship was underway. They get to input contacts into the fire control system and receive contacts that are broadcast via data links.  The Sailors resolve contact ambiguities (two or more sources reporting the same contact) to train database managers and de-conflict contacts from the missile flight paths.  Sailors use voice and data circuits to coordinate launch times and backup missiles.  The fire control system simulates the missile preparation.  Missile casualties are randomly applied to force the Sailors and Firing Units (FRUs) to shoot backup missiles.  Upon completion of Tomahawk Land Attach Missile (TLAM) salvos, FRUs transmit firing reports and make voice reports to the TLAM Strike Coordinator. “Last year there weren’t any commands here locally that had the capabilities to offer SLAMEX training, so it has been a very satisfying experience to be able to train local Sailors on how to simulate launching tomahawks when they don’t have the ability to train like that when their submarine is in dry dock,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Vanslyke, SLAMEX instructor. For one student, this experience is truly beneficial for his career. “I’ve enjoyed being able to learn about the new systems we’ll be getting in the future because it’s better to become familiar with them now, so when it is time to operate them we will be ready to put our new knowledge to good use,” said Fire Control Technician 2nd Class (SS) Robert Wright, USS Ohio (SSGN 726). By providing this training, submarine Sailors are getting lots of information that will help them when they have to put their training to the test. “Submarines have launched a large number of the TLAMs during the recent conflicts and submarines carry a significant amount of the overall TLAMs that the Navy is capable of employing, so it’s important to get the Sailors into the SLAMEX and get them ready for real world scenarios,” said Cmdr. Wade Schmidt, director, Combat Systems Training Department at TTF. http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/regionalnews/ttf_hosts_slamex/