DVIDS – News – To win a war, less is more

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho – Sixteen Airmen from Mountain Home Air Force Base recently deployed to Idaho Falls Regional Airport in an exercise to test the limits of Agile Combat Employment (ACE). The goal was simple: use the smallest possible team to complete the mission.

ACE is an operational concept designed to moderate the way the Air Force projects its air power. Instead of large, centralized bases, ACE relies on networks of smaller, dispersed locations or cluster bases to increase survivability and gain an advantage.

The Idaho Falls team successfully established communications and conducted integrated combat turnaround operations (ICT) on F-15E Strike Eagles while responding to simulated alert conditions for the exercise. An ICT is the process of unloading and reloading weapons as well as “hot pit” refueling – refueling while the engine is running – to get the jets back in the air as quickly as possible.

“If jets were going down and needed an ICT, then realistically all you would need is a crew chief, his backup, the three weapons squads and a fuel squad and they would be able to get it done,” said Master Sgt. Gene-Gregory Spok, the Idaho Falls team leader, was assigned to the 391st Fighter Generation Squadron.
The Idaho Falls team also worked with civilian partners to unload equipment from a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 41st Airlift Wing out of Little Rock Air Force Base.

“This exercise is very unique in that a lot of logistics are required to ensure each location has what it needs to carry out the mission it was sent on,” said Chief Master Sgt. Yamil Davila, directorate exercise observer for logistics, technology and troop protection of the air combat command.

The Mission Ready Airmen (MRA) concept was another important part of the exercise. Airmen were challenged to find innovative ways to solve problems with crew and equipment limitations. At one point, there were three F-15Es on the ground, and with only two crew chiefs on the team, an airman outside of his normal duties had to step in and station one of the jets.

“That’s how you win a war; That’s how you win a conflict – just one Airman working hard, finding a solution and getting the job done,” said Maj. Tyler Jennings, 366th Operations Group staff director.

MRA represents a move away from traditional, large air teams with specific skillsets toward smaller teams of more flexible airmen capable of providing combat support and solving problems with existing resources.

The Idaho Falls team demonstrated that a small team of Airmen with the right equipment and supplies can be more agile and responsive than large, traditionally structured teams when distributed from one operating location to another. This framework also reduces the number of airmen placed at risk while generating air power.

The 16 Airmen arrived in Idaho Falls, Idaho from Twin Falls, Idaho, and Wendover, Utah, October 22-26, 2024, as part of the operational readiness and ACE exercise RAGING GUNFIGHTER 25-1. The annual operational readiness exercise tested the wing’s ability to generate combat air power while continuing to move, maneuver and support the wing and subordinate force elements in a dynamic and contested environment.