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Okinawa Virtual Staff Ride

Simulated terrain showing a beach landing site with scattered amphibious vehicles near the shoreline and dunes in the background
Simulated terrain showing a overhead view of a village surrounded by sparse trees, with a tank moving along a dirt road through the center of the village
 

This Virtual Staff Ride (VSR) examines the Ryukyus Campaign on Okinawa from 1 April to 2 Jul 1945. It focuses on the XXIV Corps’ amphibious landings and the transition to Tenth Army’s command and control of two corps as a Field Army.

It studies joint operations planning, the Field Army as an operational and joint force headquarters, the corps as a field headquarters in amphibious operations, division-level multi-domain operations, offensive and defensive operations, stability operations, military deception and operational security, subterranian operations, and command and control.

The Okinawa VSR is fully exportable to any organization that has access to the Army-licensed gaming software, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Each exportable package includes full instructor support materials, student readings, and instructions on how to use everything. Please see below.

Okinawa Virtual Staff Ride Material

Okinawa VSR Introduction

Okinawa VSR Introduction

This file provides an overview of the VSR, what products comprise the VSR, how to download the products, and how they are used to conduct the VSR. The exportable VSR contains all the elements of a “ground” staff ride, but with the terrain being presented with a computer in a classroom environment.

Download the VSR Introduction

Virtual Terrain for the Okinawa

Virtual Terrain for the Okinawa

The VSR runs off the Army’s games-for-training platform, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Only current license holders with a CAC enabled computer can operate VBS3. New download authorizations are not available due to contract restrictions with the software manufacturer. Use this link to access the Army’s Milgaming site to learn more about VBS3.
For authorized VBS3 users, use the link below to access the scenario files and detailed instructions on how to load them into the game engine. For technical questions or issues relating to VBS3, contact customer support at Bohemia Interactive Simulations at (866) 755-5127.

VBS3 Files

Preliminary Study Materials

Preliminary Study Materials

These materials help prepare staff ride participants for their virtual visit to the campaign area.

Download the Read Ahead

Field Phase and Materials

Field Phase and Materials

These resources are for the staff ride facilitator or instructor. The notes are the materials the instructor uses to tie the terrain, the historical narrative, and the visual aids together. The visual aids help keep the participants oriented to the virtual terrain and to the historical context of the operation.

Download the Instructor Notes

Download the Visual Aids