The skies above the remote Pacific island of Tinian recently witnessed a resurgence of American airpower. Once home to the B-29 Superfortresses that helped end World War II, Tinian served as a key location for Exercise Agile Reaper 24-1 (AR 24-1), showcasing the U.S. Air Force’s next generation of power projection capabilities.
AR 24-1 employed a “hub-and-spoke” operational concept. The central hub, located at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, coordinated activities across five geographically dispersed “spokes,” including the newly established forward operating site (FOS) on Tinian. This approach allows for a more agile and adaptable force posture in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Tinian FOS exemplifies the Air Force’s ability to rapidly deploy and operate from austere environments. Within a day, a team of Airmen from the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing (3rd AEW) out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, transformed a barren patch of land into a fully functional base supporting approximately 100 personnel and F-22 Raptor fighter jets from the 90th Fighter Squadron.
“Operating from Tinian offers great training for all of us,” said Lt. Col. Clayton Cruickshank, Tinian spoke commander and F-22 pilot. “We’re developing the skills that will be required to operate from austere locations in the future, and we’re developing our junior leaders so they can step into roles that have recently been held by higher ranking and more experienced people.”
The expeditious construction of the Tinian FOS was made possible by the Air Force’s concept of Mission-Ready Airmen (MRA). MRA emphasizes the importance of Airmen being proficient outside their primary specialties. This allows them to adapt to diverse situations and contribute wherever needed. In a wartime scenario, MRA fosters resilience and ensures the effectiveness of deployed forces.
Tech. Sgt. Beau Burton, a contracting officer who was among the first Airmen on the ground, highlights the collaborative effort: “Standing up this base takes everyone working together. We all wear multiple hats, and everyone’s proactive approach is what makes the mission happen.” From securing local vendor contracts to establishing vital support services, each Airman played a crucial role in ensuring the operational readiness of the Tinian spoke.
Building upon the recent success of Exercise Agile Reaper 24-1, it’s worth revisiting a similar exercise conducted in 2023 – Agile Reaper 23-1. Held in Guam and Tinian, that exercise provided valuable insights into the US Air Force’s ability to project air power from austere locations in the Indo-Pacific region.
“This is the first time F-22s have ever been on this island,” said Jammer, the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. “The exercise allowed us to gather valuable data and establish new tactics for operating in contested environments.”
The experience gained from Agile Reaper 23-1 proved invaluable. The data collected from F-22 Raptor operations on Tinian, along with the overall exercise experience, informed the planning and execution of the recently concluded AR 24-1. These exercises demonstrate the US Air Force’s continuous effort to refine its Agile Combat Employment strategy, ensuring its ability to project air power effectively in the ever-evolving Indo-Pacific landscape.
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