Operation Keen Sword – Project Management of Medical Aspects of a Joint Exercise
Client: Navy Medical Forces Pacific
Exercise Keen Sword is a biennial, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command-scheduled, and U.S. Pacific Fleet-sponsored field training exercise designed to enhance Japan-U.S. combat readiness and interoperability. The exercise also strengthens bilateral relationships and demonstrates U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the region. NOVACES Project Management subject matter experts supported Keen Sword 25 from October 23 to November 1, 2024.
Challenges
In 2023, the Navy’s Bureau of Medicine and Surgery made the strategic decision to focus more on the operational medicine aspects of their mission. Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP) followed by developing a strategy to expand and refine their expeditionary medical support, humanitarian assistance, and mass casualty response. A key element of this strategy was to fully embed Navy Medicine into regularly scheduled Fleet and Joint Exercises. However, NMFP lacked the requisite expertise needed to assimilate medical resources into these large-scale exercises. The immediate challenges were the limited availability of internal exercise planners and the requisite knowledge of Joint Planning Operations needed to participate in these exercises.
Solutions Delivered
A dedicated NOVACES team, made up of experienced exercise planners and medical professionals, partnered with NMFP to support a high-impact training exercise. Realistic, combat-related medical scenarios were meticulously crafted and incorporated to challenge both medical and non-medical personnel. These scenarios tested decision-making skills under pressure, adherence to Joint Doctrine and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the effectiveness of communication between units.
Throughout the exercise, NOVACES experts conducted performance assessments, uncovering process inefficiencies in patient tracking, casualty evacuation, and logistics coordination—factors that directly affect operational readiness. These findings were thoroughly documented in a comprehensive After-Action Report (AAR), supported by data-driven insights.
Following the exercise, NOVACES applied its project management expertise to develop and implement targeted corrective actions, addressing the identified gaps and enhancing future mission preparedness.
Created detailed Level I through Level IV process maps for each of the 11 critical business cycles, ensuring a clear, standardized visual representation of complex workflows.
Created detailed Level I through Level IV process maps for each of the 11 critical business cycles, ensuring a clear, standardized visual representation of complex workflows.
Created detailed Level I through Level IV process maps for each of the 11 critical business cycles, ensuring a clear, standardized visual representation of complex workflows.
Key Takeaways
NOVACES provided critical research and insights that enabled state and local leaders to make data-driven recovery and development decisions. Our efforts helped:
NOVACES’ deep expertise in Navy Medicine, Project Management, and Continuous Process Improvement was instrumental in effectively supporting Naval Medical Forces Pacific’s mission in this strategically important Indo-Pacific joint exercise.
Our Team used their skills in medical training, logistics, and process improvement to fill critical gaps in continuity, data-driven decision-making, and exercise efficiency to benefit the Warfighter.
NOVACES support is now a key factor in ensuring continuity, efficiency, and expertise in these large-scale military exercises.