The United States Air Force’s (USAF) Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept is designed to enhance rapid response capabilities, particularly in regions like the Middle East where the operational environment can change unpredictably.

The ACE concept emphasizes the ability to quickly establish remote airfields to support the refueling and rearming of fighter aircraft closer to the combat zone.

It allows US and allied forces to generate combat power faster, with more sorties to be flown in far less time.

The key to ACE is its flexibility, as it is not reliant on traditional, large airbases but instead focuses on making use of smaller, forward-operating bases or makeshift airfields in crises.

This approach is crucial for maintaining operational tempo and ensuring sustained air superiority, particularly in contested or denied environments where traditional infrastructure might be unavailable or compromised.

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, demonstrating a regional commitment to counter threats.

Crisis response

Agile Spartan 25.1 demonstrated the importance of prepositioning assets and capabilities in the region, allowing for the rapid escalation of air operations when these capabilities are needed.

The drill also was designed to test and refine the ability to establish short-term airfields and manage the logistics required for combat operations.

The Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) coordinated efforts to set up these airfields, ensuring that US and coalition forces could quickly refuel and rearm aircraft.

The exercise featured a Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery drill, which focused on returning an airfield to full functionality in the aftermath of an attack. Participants evaluated damage, cleaned debris and quickly repaired the airfield.

The airmen taking part in the exercise fully restored the airfield by the 23rd hour of the exercise -- a full day ahead of schedule.

By rehearsing these procedures, the US Air Force and its partners streamlined the transition from peace to combat operations, reducing response times in real-world scenarios.

"Our airmen face new challenges every day in the AFCENT arena as they execute combat operations to protect our forces and defend our partners," Ninth Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Derek France said in a statement.

"The lessons they are learning and the relationships they are building alongside our partners will make us stronger together and be invaluable as the Department of the Air Force reoptimizes for great power competition."