The most recent Operation Agile Spartan exercises put the US Air Force's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept into action, showcasing abilities that ultimately can lead to more peace and security across the region.

ACE is a dynamic warfighting strategy that involves rapidly maneuvering within threat timelines -- the sequence of events related to a specific threat -- enhancing survivability and sustaining combat power.

The strategy shifts airpower from large, standalone bases to dispersed locations and cluster bases, increasing the US Air Force's ability to strike anywhere, anytime and complicating adversary targeting processes.

Operation Agile Spartan 25.1, which took place in January and February in the Arabian Peninsula, focused on building ACE capabilities.

The exercise enhanced ACE-based interoperability with regional partners and expanded the number of ACE locations from which coalition forces can launch combat missions.

Coordinated by the Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC), the exercise integrated allied and partner forces to execute complex air operations in real-world conditions.

By rapidly maneuvering assets and personnel, Agile Spartan showcased how ACE enhances survivability and combat effectiveness.

Commitment to security

Bringing together the US Air Force and regional partners in the Middle East and Asia, Agile Spartan 25.1 underscored the US commitment to allied cooperation and deterrence, reinforcing operational resilience in an era of evolving threats.

A key aspect of the exercise was interoperability, with US aerial refuellers practicing in-flight refueling of allied aircraft.

In addition, coalition forces focused on rearming aircraft in austere locations, testing logistics, coordination and rapid deployment tactics and proving their ability to maintain combat readiness even in remote areas.

These efforts reiterated the ACE concept's emphasis on flexibility and resilience, demonstrating how partners can operate together seamlessly in contested environments.

The ability to operate from temporary or quickly-constructed airfields allows forces to remain unpredictable, complicating enemy targeting efforts while maintaining air superiority.

Beyond its tactical benefits, the exercise reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to regional security and defense cooperation.

By engaging partners across the world, the US Air Force heightens its awareness of the battlespace and ability to operate under any conditions at any time.

As evolving threats challenge global stability, exercises like Agile Spartan reinforce the role of ACE in strengthening regional security and deterrence.

They not only enhance military preparedness but also contribute to long-term stability, ensuring that deterrence remains the foundation of peace in an increasingly complex global security environment.