US Navy Develops Train-REX Programme for Fleet Maintenance Training
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The US Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has completed the first phase of its Training Repair Technology Exercise (Train-REX), a program designed to improve how sailors and maintenance personnel learn to operate newly deployed repair technologies. Held at Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, from 14 to 18 September 2026, the initial phase brought together six commercial training developers, equipment manufacturers and Navy technical specialists to develop training materials for six maintenance and repair technologies.
The technologies include alternative power systems, flange-facing machines, composite repair products and remote support equipment. The program aims to address delays between deploying new maintenance tools and providing personnel with the training needed to operate them effectively, particularly aboard vessels and at forward-deployed locations where internet connectivity may be limited.
During the first phase, training developers collected equipment scans, photographs, and recordings of technical demonstrations to create standalone instructional modules. Each developer spent about four hours with equipment manufacturers and subject matter experts documenting operating procedures and practical maintenance requirements.
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Jeff Campbell, a NAVSEA technology manager involved in planning the exercise, said the program was developed to ensure personnel could operate newly delivered equipment without depending on online training resources. Omar Ramos, Technology Manager within NAVSEA's Naval Systems Engineering Directorate, highlighted the importance of capturing practical operating knowledge that may not appear in technical manuals.
The second phase, scheduled for November 2026, will involve more than 144 sailors and civilian maintainers from NUWC Keyport, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, and Trident Refit Facility Bangor. Participants will test the completed training packages against practical maintenance scenarios.
The validation exercise will assess whether the new training approach can help personnel operate unfamiliar equipment more effectively. Its findings will inform the Navy's assessment of the program before any wider implementation.
Source: Navsea
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This article was contributed by an external writer affiliated with our publication.
