Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) is set to conduct a multi-day readiness exercise in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, showcasing its capability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower. This exercise aims to enhance the mobility of assets and personnel, fortify regional partnerships, and prepare for flexible execution throughout the CENTCOM area.
The training event is a crucial opportunity for AFCENT to validate procedures regarding the rapid movement of personnel and aircraft, conduct dispersed operations at contingency locations, and ensure logistics sustainment while maintaining a minimal footprint. The exercise also focuses on integrated, multinational command and control across a vast operational area.
Lt. Gen. Derek France, commander of AFCENT and Combined Forces Air Component for CENTCOM, emphasized the importance of this exercise: “Our Airmen are proving they can disperse, operate, and generate combat sorties under demanding conditions—safely, precisely and alongside our partners. This is about upholding our commitment to maintaining combat-ready Airmen and the disciplined execution necessary to keep airpower available when and where it’s needed.”
Throughout the exercise, U.S. forces will deploy teams to various contingency locations to validate quick setup, launch, and recovery procedures with small, efficient support packages. All operations will be conducted with the approval of host nations and in cooperation with civil and military aviation authorities, highlighting a strong emphasis on safety, precision, and respect for host nations’ sovereignty.
By continuously practicing tactics and techniques in a dynamic air domain, the U.S. Air Force reaffirms its dedication to regional defense and security in collaboration with partner nations. This exercise embodies a commitment to peace through strength, demonstrating a credible and responsible military presence that deters aggression and minimizes miscalculation risks while assuring allies.
Visual material from the exercise will be available through the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, allowing for broader insight into the operations conducted.