Two U.S. Air Drive F-15E Strike Eagles, originating out of Souda Bay, Greece, arrived within the U.S. Central Command space of accountability by way of an effort to train cross-combatant command Agile Fight Employment (ACE) operations July 15, 2022. The fighters assigned to the forty eighth Fighter Wing out of Royal Air Drive Base Lakenheath, United Kingdom, had been tasked with conducting the cross-combatant command flight into the CENTCOM AOR, executing hot-pit refueling operations with Ninth Air Drive (Air Forces Central) help, then returning to the U.S. Air Forces Europe AOR for a fight search and rescue train with European companions. This coaching additionally provides AFCENT members the chance to conduct hot-pit refueling operations with USAFE-AFAFRICA aircrews.
“AFCENT conducts parts of ACE operations in fight day by day. By executing ACE in a wartime atmosphere, we acquire priceless classes that enhance our fight functionality. The AFCENT classes additionally profit the air elements from different combatant instructions, simply as we profit from the teachings gained throughout ACE operations of their theaters,” mentioned Guillot.
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“This collaboration with USAFE-AFAFRICA showcases U.S. capability to circulate airpower out and in of the Center East from anyplace on this planet. The agility demonstrated on this motion is essential as we proceed to supply regional companions airpower choices for deterrence and contingency response,” mentioned. Lt. Gen. Greg Guillot, Ninth Air Drive (AFCENT) commander.
This refueling method, by which jets are refueled whereas nonetheless operating, cuts refueling time by hours, permitting AFCENT and companion aircrews to generate a number of consecutive sorties from the identical plane. This follow permits AFCENT’s train of Agile Fight Employment, rising flexibility in airpower asset basing and staging in and round theater. The command and management relationship between USAFE-AFAFRICA and AFCENT is often exercised by way of bomber presence patrols, which regularly originate in Europe and circulate by way of the Mediterranean and into the Center East. This cross-command flight represents one other milestone in AFCENT’s and the U.S. Air Drive’s continued improvement of Agile Fight Employment.
U.S. Air Forces Central is the air element of United States Central Command, a regional unified command. USAFCENT is chargeable for air operations, both unilaterally or in live performance with coalition companions, and creating contingency plans in help of nationwide aims for USCENTCOM’s 20-nation space of accountability in Southwest Asia. Moreover, USAFCENT manages an intensive provide and tools prepositioning program at a number of Space of Accountability websites. The USAFCENT group supplies a singular twin mission for its Airmen — coaching of its fight models whereas working carefully with its counterparts in Southwest Asia to make sure the soundness of the area.
