Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Vermont's Green Mountain Boys Demonstrate Agility, Readiness By Master Sgt. Ryan Campbell,
                158th Fighter Wing
 SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing tested its ability to deploy and remain operational during a simulated attack on its base the first week of April. During the exercise scenario at the South Burlington Air National Guard base, buildings lost power, infrastructure was disabled and runways were bombed, requiring the 158th to conduct missions from a forward operating location. Taking six F-35A Lightning II jets and a minimal amount of Airmen and resources, the Green Mountain Boys tested the Multi-Capable Airman concept, operating with as few Airmen as possible to launch jets and execute tactical missions in a new type of exercise known as “ACE.” “ACE is short for ‘Agile Combat Employment,’ and it’s a phrase we’ve been talking about in the Air Force for a couple of years now,” said Sandeep Mulgund, senior adviser to the deputy chief of staff for operations at Headquarters, Air Force, at the Pentagon. “The idea behind ACE is that air power faces a new set of challenges today that we haven’t had to worry about for quite some time.” Mulgund said these threats come from cyber attacks and new drone missile attacks — all with a smaller overseas Air Force. “Back in World War II, we had, plus or minus, 93 overseas bases,” Mulgund said. “Now that number is down to 33.” This new concept shifts from reliance on overseas bases and focuses on Airmen being able to set up operations in more places. “This exercise is the realization of all these ideas,” Mulgund said. The exercise began on April 2 with aircraft, Airmen and resources needing to be deployed rapidly in response to an attack. The New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing arrived from Newburgh, New York, with a C-17A Globemaster III to take Airmen and cargo to their simulated deployed location at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield at Fort Drum, New York. More than 60 Airmen, including pilots, maintenance technicians, communications specialists and airfield managers, made their way to facilities run by the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing. At Fort Drum, the 174th provided buildings to work out of and managed air space and a live-fire range where inert, 2,000-pound GBU-31 bombs could be dropped on targets. “We’re seeing how much we can do without much,” said Tech. Sgt. Jacob Kenney, an F-35 crew chief assigned to the 158th Maintenance Group. “We’re figuring out what our strengths and what our weaknesses are, and improve on both.” Missions began the next day after landing, with four F-35s taking off twice a day to engage targets with their GPS-guided bombs. All of this while making the best of vital systems back at their home base in South Burlington that were brought down as a result of the simulated attacks. Kenney said Fort Drum enabled the Green Mountain Boys to support themselves with minimal resources. “Our Airmen are incredible,” Kenney said. “I’ve never seen how many things someone is willing to do to get the mission done. It’s really incredible.” The purpose of the Multi-Capable Airman concept is to have Airmen familiar with a variety of specialties so that units can deploy with fewer personnel if necessary. “It’s really fun to watch everyone get zeroed in on ... what needs to be done to get the jets going,” Kenney said. “The group we have is very adaptable.” Mulgund expressed amazement at the Airmen’s ability to launch jets and accomplish the mission no matter what the circumstances, bringing the ACE concept to life. “That sends a signal to our adversaries and our allies of what our capabilities are,” he said.
 SHARE
 PRINT
  Vermont Air National Guard
 New York Air National Guard
 ACE
 Fort Drum
 
 Vermont Air Guard Tests Weapon Systems in Florida Exercises
 By Tech. Sgt. Richard Mekkri,
  Vermont Airmen Test Agility During Multistate Exercise
 By Tech. Sgt. Richard Mekkri,
  334th Fighter Squadron Trains in Northeast
 By Tech. Sgt. Victoria Nelson,
  More
 Idaho, Nevada Guard Offer Free Health Care to Tribal Members Guard News • 9 hours ago
 Illinois Guard Completes Emergency Response Training Guard News • 15 hours ago
 National Guard Ready for Potential Record-Breaking Wildfire, Hurricane Season Guard News • 3 days ago
 Washington Army Guard, Partners Train on Air Rescues Guard News • 3 days ago
 New Hampshire Guard Medevacs Injured Hiker to Safety Guard News • 5 days ago
 2024 (167)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil