News United States Air Force
 Enduring PACE exercise bolsters communications readiness throughout South KoreaPublished May 24, 2023
                        
                        By Lt. Col. Kelley Jeter and Master Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman
                        
                        
                        7th Air Force Public Affairs
                **OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS)  --**
                In modern warfare, the ability to communicate rapidly and effectively can be the difference between victory and defeat. To effectively maintain Fight Tonight readiness and provide the best possible defense of the of South Korea, servicemembers must function test their capabilities and identify ways to improve their procedures, which is exactly why they conduct routine training exercises.

The**7th Air Force******recently conducted exercise Enduring PACE from May 15-19. The exercise put communication equipment to the test and involved communications Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing at******Kunsan Air Base**, the **51st FW**, the******607th Air Operations Center******at **Osan AB******and other communications units dispersed throughout South Korea.

“Enduring PACE is an exercise that practices communications resilience across multiple networks, ensuring thecommander’s ability to operate in any environment,” said Master Sgt. Adam Johnson, 7th Air Force contingency and exercise manager. “The 8th Communication Squadron, **51st CS**,******607th Air Communications Squadron**and**607th Materiel Maintenance Squadron******detachments, execute exercise requirements in parallel while maintaining coordination with 7th AF Staff.”

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman James Angeley, left, 607th Air Communications Squadron, radio maintenance technician, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Carlos Perez Ortiz, right, 607 ACOMS, radio frequency transmission system technician sets up a ground multiband terminal during exercise Enduring PACE, May 18, 2023, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.U.S. Air Force Senior Airman James Angeley, left, 607th Air Communications Squadron, radio maintenance technician, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Carlos Perez Ortiz, right, 607 ACOMS, radio frequency transmission system technician sets up a ground multiband terminal during exercise Enduring PACE, May 18, 2023, at Osan Air Base, South Korea. Exercise Enduring PACE put communication equipment to the test and involved communications Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB, the 51st Fighter Wing, the 607th Air Operations Center at Osan AB and other communications units dispersed throughout South Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)
            
            
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    U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Florence, 607th Air Communications Squadron, NCO in charge of the radio satellite communications shop, sets up a Hawkeye antenna during exercise Enduring PACE, May 18, 2023, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Florence, 607th Air Communications Squadron, NCO in charge of the radio satellite communications shop, sets up a Hawkeye antenna during exercise Enduring PACE, May 18, 2023, at Osan Air Base, South Korea. The Hawkeye is a portable antenna used to establish communications networks when the primary means of communication are down. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)
            
            
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    U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Florence, 607th Air Communications Squadron, NCO in charge of the radio satellite communications shop, sets up a Hawkeye antenna during exercise Enduring PACE, May 18, 2023, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Florence, 607th Air Communications Squadron, NCO in charge of the radio satellite communications shop, sets up a Hawkeye antenna during exercise Enduring PACE, May 18, 2023, at Osan Air Base, South Korea. The Hawkeye is a portable antenna used to establish communications networks when the primary means of communication are down. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kenneth W. Norman)
            
            
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A key aspect of contingency communication is the efficiency in which equipment can be deployed and employed.

“Our portion of this exercise is doing an in-house contingency test of all our systems,” said Staff Sgt. Acacia Gilbert, 607th ACOMS radio frequency transmissions supervisor. “We are trying to see how quickly we can get our systems up and running and functional, according to our base plan.”

Enduring PACE aimed at establishing operational-to-tactical communications linkages, which are essential for command and control during contingencies. Another goal was to conduct communication systems validation between all Air Force components from contingency locations throughout the South Korea.

“Communication resilience across thepeninsula is essential for South Korea and U.S. to partner effectively,” Johnson said. “With the capability to communicate quickly and securely, our partnership can coordinate operations across different regions and respond to changes more effectively. Without reliable communication for command and control, our ability to project air power promptly would be degraded.”

Every exercise has challenges and shortfalls and that is a good thing because it provides the opportunity for process improvement.

“The greatest success of this exercise is ourAirmen’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges to achieve their objectives,” Johnson said. “Looking at all the entities involved across 7AF,**U.S. Forces Korea**,**U.S. Indo-Pacific Command** and **Defense Information Systems Agency**, the Airmen on the ground shoulder the preponderance of responsibilities. Their dedication not only providescommand and control during exercises but in everyday life in the Air Force.”

Exercise Enduring PACE is conducted quarterly as part of the routine training cycle in South Korea.

“One goal of the exercise is to stoke innovation in the future ofcommand and control,” Johnson said. “The 7th AF takes feedback from all units involved to help shape the future of communications. As Enduring PACE continues each quarter, we’re excited to see where the next generation of Airman take us.”LR 



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