News United States Air Force
 AFCENT, coalition partners integrate during Agile SpartanPublished Aug. 29, 2023
                        
                        
                        Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) Public Affairs
                **AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar (AFNS) --**
                **U.S. Air Forces Central** successfully concluded Operation Agile Spartan 23.2 Aug. 26, showcasing the power of collective military efforts and a proactive approach to combat readiness. The multinational operation highlighted the transformative nature of decentralized airpower deployment with **Agile Combat Employment** at the forefront.U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gregory Allen, 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron airborne cryptologic language analyst, checks his flight mask on an RC-135 Rivet Joint during Operation Agile Spartan at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Aug. 20, 2023. This exercise not only highlighted AUAB’s commitment of maintaining readiness and deterrence toward adversaries in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, but also the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s ability to rapidly generate combat airpower and engage in agile combat employment scenarios. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gregory Allen, 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron airborne cryptologic language analyst, checks his flight mask on an RC-135 Rivet Joint during Operation Agile Spartan at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Aug. 20, 2023. This exercise not only highlighted AUAB’s commitment of maintaining readiness and deterrence toward adversaries in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, but also the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s ability to rapidly generate combat airpower and engage in agile combat employment scenarios. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)
            
            
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Through ACE, airpower generation shifted from traditional large, centralized bases to a dynamic network of smaller, dispersed bases.This pioneering approach not only amplified the U.S. Air Force's operational flexibility but also sent a clear message about its ability to respond swiftly to evolving situations anywhere, anytime.AFCENT worked jointly with regional partners and flew nine different aircraft during the operation, including **F-16 Fighting Falcon**s, **A-10C Thunderbolt II**s, **HC-130J Combat King II**s, **HH-60G Pave Hawk**s, **KC-135 Stratotanker**s, **RC-135V/W Rivet Joint**s, **C-130 Hercules**, **C-17 Globemaster III**s and **MQ-9 Reaper**s.“Operation Agile Spartan 23.2 was not just an exercise; it was a statement,” said **Brig. Gen. David Mineau**, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) deputy commander and deputy combined forces air component commander for U.S. Central Command. “Through ACE, in collaboration with our coalition partners, we showcased a paradigm shift in U.S. Air Force combat operations. Our combined forces demonstrated that together, we can adapt, innovate, and overcome any challenge. This operation is a testament to our shared dedication to ensuring peace and stability in this critical region."US. Airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing arrive for Operation Agile Spartan 23.2 at an undisclosed location, Aug. 20, 2023. Agile Spartan 23.2 is a multinational operation aimed at demonstrating interoperability, improving response capabilities, and furthering security cooperation initiatives throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The exercise provides a chance for U.S. and coalition forces to validate Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities and expand the number of ACE locations from which coalition air forces can generate combat missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank)U.S. Airmen from the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing arrive for Operation Agile Spartan 23.2 at an undisclosed location, Aug. 20, 2023. Agile Spartan 23.2 is a multinational operation aimed at demonstrating interoperability, improving response capabilities and furthering security cooperation initiatives throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank)
            
            
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    U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miles (right), 125th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron (EFGS) crew chief, speaks with a maintainer from the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) during Operation Agile Spartan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 21, 2023. During the operation, RSAF and 125th EFGS maintainers toured each other's aircraft to see how each partner nation performs their maintenance duties. Agile Spartan 23.2 is a multinational operation aimed at strengthening interoperability, improving response capabilities, and furthering security cooperation initiatives throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank)U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miles, 125th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, speaks with a maintainer from the Royal Saudi Air Force during Operation Agile Spartan, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 21, 2023. Agile Spartan 23.2 is a multinational operation aimed at strengthening interoperability, improving response capabilities, and furthering security cooperation initiatives throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank)
            
            
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    An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 125th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes flight during Operation Agile Spartan 23.2, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 20, 2023. Agile Spartan 23.2 is a multinational operation aimed at strengthening interoperability, improving response capabilities, and furthering security cooperation initiatives throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The exercise provides a chance for U.S. forces and  its regional partners to validate and expand the number of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) locations from which coalition air forces can generate combat missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank)A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 125th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes flight during Operation Agile Spartan 23.2, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 20, 2023. Agile Spartan 23.2 is a multinational operation aimed at strengthening interoperability, improving response capabilities, and furthering security cooperation initiatives throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank)
            
            
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It was evident throughout the operation that each of AFCENT’s five expeditionary wings played a critical role, with seamless coordination and efficiency in both launching and recovering aircraft from various locations.The agility and adaptability displayed are set to influence future military strategies and training modules.“It is extremely important to continue to do exercises like this with partner nations so we can fine-tune our processes and procedures,” said Senior Master Sgt. Ilona Goggins, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing ground exercise lead. “We must work together with our partner nations to be successful; it’s what makes us truly agile and capable.”A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint assigned to the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 912th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during Operation Agile Spartan above the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, Aug. 19, 2023. The RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft participated in this exercise to demonstrate its support to theater and national level consumers with near real-time, on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint assigned to the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 912th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during Operation Agile Spartan above the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, Aug. 19, 2023. The RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft participated in this exercise to demonstrate its support to theater and national level consumers with near real-time, on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)
            
            
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The unwavering commitment of the U.S. to its regional partners in the Middle East was reaffirmed as the operation went beyond military might, emphasizing diplomacy, trust-building and the importance of international partnerships.“These exercises build trust and respect between squadrons that don’t train together on a regular basis,” said Capt. Timothy Maresch, 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 instructor pilot. “I personally didn’t know what to expect but was blown away with the professionalism, as well as the immense hospitality offered by our partners.”LR 



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Brig. Gen. David Mineau