Team Orlando leaders share vision at 2026 Military Virtual Training and Simulation Summit

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

 

February 27, 2026

 

Brig. Gen. Christine A. Beeler, Capability Program Executive of CPE ST3 (formerly PEO STRI) and Capt. Robert Betts, commander of Naval Support Activity (NSA) Orlando and the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), spoke at the 2026 Military Virtual Training and Simulation (VT&S) Summit, Jan. 28.

 

The summit was held at the University of Central Florida (UCF) Fairwinds Center. Now in its ninth year, the event brought together leaders from the Department of War (DoW), government agencies, industry and academia to shape the future of modeling, simulation and synthetic training.

 

The VT&S Summit helped advance the DoW’s ability to deliver synthetic environments that provide hyper-realistic training scenarios. These scenarios enhance warfighter readiness, improve lethality and support battlefield cohesion across all services, levels and domains.

 

During her remarks, Brig. Gen. Beeler described organizational changes within the Army, including the restructuring of the previous 12 Program Executive Offices into Capability Program Executives (CPEs).

 

She noted that the Army’s core mission remains the same, but the approach now emphasizes a faster operational tempo and focuses on training solutions that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), modern game engines and simulation technology.

 

Beeler stated the reorganization of CPE ST3 is intended to streamline contracts, provide clearer points of entry for industry, reduce bureaucracy and focus on commercially available products, services and parts.

 

She confirmed that the organization remains in Orlando and will continue partnerships with UCF and other Team Orlando units, including NAWCTSD, AFAMS, PM TRASYS and the Space Force.

 

Betts outlined NAWCTSD priorities, including delivering interoperable and integrated training technologies on schedule, working with industry to develop training tools for the Fleet and applying AI to improve efficiency.

 

He said it was an honor to speak at the VT&S Summit and described NAWCTSD’s path forward as clear, defined by partnerships with industry, the implementation of AI and a commitment to interoperability.

 

“By working together to solve these challenges, we will provide our warfighters with the integrated training environment they need to build a decisive advantage in any future conflict,” Betts said.

 

Betts is scheduled to discuss these topics again at the 2026 IDGA Military Simulation Training Summit on Feb. 25, focusing on ongoing developments in training technology and collaboration within the DoW.

 

Other Team Orlando leaders, including Col. Wynndee Young, program manager for training systems at Marine Corps Systems Command; Col Ted Stokes, director of Synthetic Training Environment CFT at Army T2COM; and Col Shannon DaSilva, commander, Space Delta 10 at STARCOM, also spoke at the summit.