The CAW created the operating environment and carried out the exercises by developing and executing a plausible, real-world scenario using sensitive sources and methods. Commander, Third Fleet, who led the JTF for this experiment, faced a scenario that included biological and chemical weapons in the hands of a rogue nation, "Orange," allied with an international terrorist organization, "Purple."

Although the force structure included a Carrier Strike Group, a P-3C, a JSTARS aircraft and special intelligence support capabilities, most of the Expeditionary Force's strength was virtual. The Strike Group commander and his staff made their operational decisions from a shore facility at Point Mugu, while tactical decisions were made aboard the USS CORONADO, the only live naval surface combatant in the exercise. The remainder of the Expeditionary Force was represented by NAWCWD aircraft and target boats, computer-generated entities, and manned control rooms functioning as command-and-control or intelligence support units.

By day five of the scenario, Country Orange had directed its forces to use chemical and other weapons against the fleet. On day six, a naval operation to rescue US citizens from the embassy in nearby Country Green was met with hostilities by Orange and Purple and the Expeditionary Force launched a NAWCWD F-14 guided by E-2C aircraft in a simulated time-critical air strike against Country Orange.

The essence of LOE-0 was the uncertain and unpredictable environment. Managing information sources and reacting effectively in a complex, asymmetric situation called for new command-and-control responses, with results that will allow the Third Fleet to better understand the interplay of events, intelligence and decision-making in an escalating asymmetric conflict.