A multinational Agile Combat Employment (ACE) exercise took place at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on Mar. 6.
Members from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force observe and discuss fueling operations during the Agile Combat Employment exercise March 6, 2019, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The scenario was designed to exercise Pacific Air Forces’ ACE concept of operations with coalition forces to ensure airpower resiliency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. JT May III)
U.S. Air Force personnel demonstrate ACE concepts to Japan Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel using a USMC F/A-18D and a C-130.
According to an article from Air Force Magazine, Agile Combat Employment builds on Rapid Raptor concept pioneered by the F-22 community back in 2013.
The aim is to allow fighter aircraft to operate from forward, austere operating base.
This is not the first time the three sides have carried out an ACE exercise. Exercise Tropic Agile Combat Employment was held in late August, 2017 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The latest exercise “validates new ways to deploy and maneuver assets” according to the story.
Members from the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam set-up a mobile fuel bladder in preparation to receive fuel from a U.S. C-130 aircraft during the Agile Combat Employment exercise at Andersen AFB March 6. Elements of ACE are being incorporated into Pacific Air Forces-led exercises, and into those executed with allies and partners to demonstrate the strength of our combined nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. JT May III)Members from the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam rapidly offload supplies off a C-130 aircraft to establish a base of operations during the Agile Combat Employment exercise at Andersen AFB March 6. This capability demonstrates the Air Force’s global reach and agility by providing a force able to quickly respond and provide combat air power in support of the U.S. commitment to regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. JT May III)Members from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force, discuss and exchange ideas after the the Agile Combat Employment exercise March 6, 2019, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Elements of ACE are being incorporated into Pacific Air Forces-led exercises, and into those executed with allies and partners to demonstrate the strength of our combined nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. JT May III)Members from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force, participate and observed fueling operations during the Agile Combat Employment exercise March 6, 2019, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. This capability demonstrates the Air Force’s global reach and agility by providing a force able to quickly respond and provide combat air power in support of the U.S. commitment to regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. JT May III)A 736th Security Forces member assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam provides security as members prepare to exit a U.S. C-130 Hercules to set-up a base of operations during the Agile Combat Employment exercise at Andersen AFB, Guam March 6. The exercise was in support of the Air Force’s developing ACE concept of operations capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. JT May III)Members from the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam rapidly exit a C-130 aircraft to establish a base of operations during the Agile Combat Employment exercise March 6. This capability demonstrates the Air Force’s global reach and agility by providing a force able to quickly respond and provide combat air power in support of the U.S. commitment to regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. JT May III)Members from the U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force prepare for movement during Cope North 19 at Tinian, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands Feb 27, 2019. COPE North is an annual multilateral U.S. Pacific Air Forces-sponsored field training exercise focused on combat air forces large-force employment and mobility air forces humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training to enhance interoperability among U.S., Australian and Japanese forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt JT May III)U.S. Marine crew chiefs hot refuel a F-18 Super Hornet during the Agile Combat Employment exercise March 6, 2019, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The scenario was designed to exercise Pacific Air Forces’ ACE concept of operations with coalition forces to ensure airpower resiliency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. JT May III)
