U.S. Air Forces Central will conduct a multi-day exercise across the U.S. Central Command “area of responsibility” to test combat airpower readiness, according to a statement released on Monday.
The exercise will test the ability of units within Air Forces Central, also known as the Ninth Air Force, to rapidly deploy personnel and aircraft to multiple locations while sustaining operations under challenging conditions.
Officials said the training is also intended to strengthen cooperation with regional partners and prepare forces to respond flexibly to potential crises throughout the CENTCOM region.
“Our Airmen are proving they can disperse, operate, and generate combat sorties under demanding conditions – safely, precisely and alongside our partners,” stated Lt. Gen. Derek France, commander of Air Forces Central and Combined Forces Air Component commander for CENTCOM.
“This is about upholding our commitment to maintaining combat-ready airmen and the disciplined execution required to keep airpower available when and where it’s needed,” he added.
During the exercise, U.S. forces will deploy small teams to “multiple contingency locations” to practice rapidly establishing operations and launching and recovering aircraft with limited support. Air Forces Central said the activities will take place with host-nation approval and in coordination with civilian and military aviation authorities.
“This exercise reinforces peace through strength by fielding a credible, combat-ready and responsible presence designed to deter aggression, reduce the risk of miscalculation and assure partners,” Air Forces Central said.
