Category: Defense

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan   –  

The 18th Wing conducted an 8-day emergency rapid response exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 8-15, 2025. Airmen tested their ability to rapidly deploy forces and sustain operations under degraded conditions while strengthening their warfighting and agile combat employment concepts.

During the initial stage of the exercise, the 18th Wing demonstrated its readiness by simulating the deployment of personnel, cargo and aircraft in response to a contingency scenario.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Brandon Wolfgang, 18th Wing command chief, discussed with emergency operations representatives participating in the exercise the value in everyone’s role during contingency operations. He also mentioned the lessons learned from this exercise will help Airmen and joint forces improve interoperability for future exercises or real-world emergencies.

“There is value in everyone’s role during contingency operations,” said Wolfgang . “We’ve tested every part of the wing’s ability to flex, whether it’s our defenders at the gate, our aircrews and maintenance professionals, or civil engineers and rapid response teams. All the lessons learned from this exercise will enable our world-class Airmen and joint forces to improve interoperability for future conflicts.”

The exercise simulated contingency operations such as forward power projection with the purpose of enhancing the 18th Wing’s emergency procedures, and more valuably, highlighted areas for improvement and expediting processes for short- or no-notice contingency responses.

Exercises like this prepare Airmen for emergency operations by testing their ability to provide tactical combat casualty care, facility security, and ensuring aircraft can conduct operations at a moment’s notice.

As the exercise progressed into the second week, tasks and workloads grew progressively more challenging, requiring the wing to project airpower while responding to a multitude of emergency scenarios. As the U.S. Air Force’s largest combat wing, the Kadena Air Base plays a pivotal role in maintaining regional security for the U.S. and its allies.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans, 18th Wing commander, praised the exercise’s success and its impact on operational readiness.

“Exercises like this are vital to maintaining our edge,” said Evans. “I am confident in the 18th Wing’s ability to rapidly surge and respond effectively to any emergency operation, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to mission success when duty calls.

Learning from planned and executed operations, the 18th Wing will continue to flex its enhanced operational abilities to respond to real world scenarios as the Keystone of the Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

GWANGJU AIR BASE, South Korea  –  

Airmen from the 8th Fighter Wing made history during Exercise Beverly Pack 25-1 by executing their first Agile Combat Employment (ACE) movement, deploying to a simulated forward location at Gwangju Air Base, Republic of Korea, Jan. 12-16.

This milestone highlights the Wolf Pack’s combat readiness by implementing this innovative approach to projecting airpower for the first time on the Korean Peninsula.

“We are exercising our dispersal capabilities by taking a small detachment from our main operating base and moving them here for a short period of time to execute contingency [operations,]” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Charles Burns, ACE detachment director of operations. “Based on intelligence, we would know when enemies will be attacking certain locations, so we could take our forces and move them to different locations to continue to have the capabilities to send combat sorties and continue to disrupt the enemies without ourselves being disrupted.”

The simulated forward operating base at Gwangju focused on integrating the 8th FW’s specialized capabilities into a simulated wartime environment. Airmen established and sustained combat operations, adapting to austere conditions and maintaining operational continuity.

“We are accomplishing ACE on [one] level, and additionally stress-testing the Mission Generation Force Element concept,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Shelley Schofield, ACE detachment senior enlisted leader. “This has led us into a larger package of mission generation capability — we are able to fix aircraft more in depth based off the things and people we brought with us here.”

Maintaining agility is essential to preserving survivability in a contested environment, and Wolf Pack Airmen exercised these capabilities to fortify their skills in accomplishing the 8 FW’s core mission to Defend the Base, Accept Follow-on Forces and Take the Fight North.

“ACE is all about adapting and still being able to accomplish the mission,” said Airman 1st Class Quatavious Cash, 35th Fighter Generation Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief. “We are out here moving at a faster pace in a foreign location, testing our agility and capabilities, and still accomplishing the mission. This training was tough but beneficial in preparing us for a real fight.”

By completing the first full-scale ACE exercise on the Korean Peninsula, the Wolf Pack not only showcased its operational readiness, but also its warfighting advantage, employing advanced tactics to ensure the resilience of U.S. airpower in this region.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SOUTH KOREA  –  

Exercise Beverly Pack 25-1, conducted Jan. 12-16, 2024, marked the largest-scale agile combat employment (ACE) generation, deployment, and sustainment exercise for the 8th Fighter Wing and for Seventh Air Force.

The exercise was the result of months of planning and is the culmination of smaller-scale training events designed to refine the Wolf Pack’s ACE capabilities.

“We have previously done part-task training but have not put all the pieces together in one coherent, operationally relevant timeline to discover the gaps and seams as one wing,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Peter “Wolf” Kasarskis, 8th Fighter Wing commander. “This is the next step to move our wing forward.”

Building on concepts from Exercise Beverly Sentinel 25-1 in November 2024, Bev Pack 25-1 tested the Wolf Pack’s ability to deploy Airmen, equipment, and aircraft to a simulated forward operating base (FOB) at Gwangju Air Base, Republic of Korea. Simultaneously, units at the main operating base were tested on their ability to respond to a variety of hostile threats while providing necessary support to the FOB.

“We’ve seen our airmen improve and work together to train under extremely realistic and difficult conditions,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Trevor “KAOS” Hallberg, 8th Fighter Wing Inspector General director of exercises and inspections. “Airmen all over base have been faced with combat representative problems to solve, and they are excelling.”

By meeting the challenges of lifelike, stressful scenarios, the 8th FW is developing Airmen with a warfighter mindset, ready to execute ACE with confidence.

“The next time our Airmen are tested could be in combat,” said Hallberg. “We train constantly to not only “Fight Tonight” but sustain the fight through a long-term contested environment and deliver consistent, credible air power to U.S. Forces Korea.”

Knowing and having the ability to execute their combat responsibilities is what makes Wolf Pack Airmen “Mission-Ready.”

“A winning force is not built by reading about it or simulating actions,” said Kasarskis. “This force is built from experience, and there’s no better place to create that experience in the Air Force other than Kunsan.”

Through actioning complex, realistic ACE training, the Wolf Pack is enhancing its warfighting advantage and its ability to project airpower in the Indo-Pacific’s complex strategic environment.

“Near-peer competition and advanced capabilities have changed the dynamic, and we don’t have the time for a six-month-long spin-up,” said Kasarskis. “I don’t want to just fight tonight; I want to win tonight.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP NARASHINO, Japan  –  

Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division joined the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and airborne troops from around the world for the New Year Jump during Indo-Pacific 25 at the Narashino Training Area in Funabashi, Japan, Jan. 12, 2025. The event, open to military officials and the Japanese public, showcased interoperability among nations and celebrated the global airborne community.

The New Year Jump, an annual tradition dating to the 1960s, began as a prayer for safe airborne operations. Over time, it has evolved into a demonstration of advanced tactics, defense capabilities, and camaraderie among paratroopers.

This year, troops from 12 nations participated, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, the Philippines, and Singapore.
Paratroopers share a unique bond forged by the demands of airborne training and the experience of jumping into uncertain conditions. Sgt. 1st Class Mika Obata, an interpreter attached to 1st Airborne Brigade, JGSDF, was struck by how quickly participants connected.

“The airborne can share their feelings and customs without common language,” she said. “They already have the same spirit which other [non-airborne] MOS people can’t understand, even if they use the same language.”

The 82nd Airborne Division sent 14 experienced jumpmasters who worked with their Japanese counterparts to safely exit approximately 200 jumpers.

“They could synchronize their gestures without rehearsal or common language, but all of them seemed to be so happy,” Obata said, reflecting on the initial preparation for the event.

This year’s jump featured complex maneuvers, including synchronized airborne deployments, rapid-response simulations, and military equipment demonstrations. These exercises ensure readiness for real-world scenarios, such as humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

The New Year Jump remains a powerful symbol of resilience, collaboration, and the enduring alliance between Japan and its partners. As the event grows, it continues to strengthen military ties and reinforce the collective commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SEOUL  –  

U.S. Army Gen. Xavier Brunson, the new United Nations Command Commander, held the year’s first UNC Member State Ambassadors Roundtable, Jan. 22, 2025, at the Philippines Embassy to Republic of Korea in Seoul. This monthly engagement was one of Brunson’s first official key leader engagements since he took command of UNC, Dec. 20, 2024.

At the meeting, Brunson affirmed his commitment as the UNC Commander for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula through upholding the Armistice Agreement. Brunson also shared his vision to carry the legacy of UNC on the new year, marking 75th anniversary of UNC’s presence on the Peninsula.

“I’m committed to reinforcing the role of the United Nations Command, whose international legitimacy and strength are vital to maintaining stability in this region, the participation and support of our multinational coalition of partners embodies the principles of collective security and our shared dedication to upholding the rules based international order,” Brunson said.

Brunson emphasized his resolve for establishing robust and transparent communication channels among UNC member states to ensure timely information sharing and coordinated response. Brunson also noted that UNC and its member states’ collective resolve, cooperation, and commitment to the Armistice Agreement are more crucial than ever in the face of evolving challenges and uncertainties.

Brunson added, “I fully embrace this mission with a deep sense of responsibility. I am committed to working closely with each of the member states, to strengthen our collective security effort, enforce the Armistice, and ensure that the Korean Peninsula remains stable and secure. Together, we will continue to adapt and reinforce the principles of peace that have guided us for over seven decades.”

Member states ambassadors and representatives welcomed Brunson and ensured continued support and coordination with the UNC.

Philippines Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega said it was a pleasure to host the first Ambassadors Roundtable of the new year.

The ambassador noted that UNC member states have a long-standing commitment to maintaining peace and security on the Korean Peninsula with a shared vision and are stronger when working together.

United Nations Command Ambassador Roundtable is a venue for leaders of UNC and UNCMS embassies to discuss various security environment factors that are relevant to the UNC’s mission and seek future opportunities to collaborate with the Republic of Korea and UNC member states.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea  –  

The 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade (ADA) recently hosted a demonstration of Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), known as “Battle One”. Held at the base’s enlisted club on January 13-14, the event highlighted the system’s advanced technology and its potential to shape the future of air defense.

The IBCS demonstration drew a significant crowd of Air Defenders from throughout the Korean peninsula, including personnel from the 35th ADA’s subordinate battalions, the air defense community, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and South Korean partners. To meet the strong demand, the event featured hourly showings from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, giving as many people as possible the chance to see the system in action and learn about its capabilities.

The successful demonstration of the IBCS on the Korean peninsula marked an important milestone in the ongoing effort to enhance air defense capabilities in the region. By providing a firsthand look at the system’s advanced technology and capabilities, the event helped to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the critical role that IBCS will play in supporting the defense of South Korea and the security of the region. As the ROK-US alliance continues to work together to advance air defense capabilities, events like the “Battle One demo” demonstration will remain essential in promoting collaboration, innovation, and readiness on the Korean peninsula.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  –  

Airmen from the 8th Security Forces Squadron sharpened their skills in base defense and threat response during Beverly Pack 25-1, Jan. 12-16.

The exercise aimed to prepare the unit for any contingency scenario, responding to ground attacks and drone incursions at Kunsan Air Base as well as protecting assets during the 8th Fighter Wing’s largest scale agile combat employment deployment in its history.

“They’re ready to go,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Edwing Mendoza, 8th SFS security forces evaluator. “If something were to happen, they have that combat readiness training in a high stress environment to reinforce their capabilities.”

Since the previous exercise, the 8th SFS has leveled up tactical execution through improved training and increased capabilities.

“Now, we do more training on information about our weapons and what to do when things go wrong, as well as getting certified on weapons like the M-2 machine gun, so we are more knowledgeable than before,” said Senior Airman Parker Farnham, 8th SFS patrolman.

Improved communication is another factor which enables efficiency and interoperability during emergency response.

“We’ve adjusted our approach to communication with other units along with our teamwork with [general arming] GENARM that has greatly benefited our response,” said Mendoza.

GERNARM is one of the Wolf Pack’s key assets in defending the base during a contingency. Members of the wing are assigned weapons and trained by security forces to protect the installation in coordination with other base agencies.

“It allows members to defend themselves and protect their area until security forces are able to respond and support,” said Farnham. “We lay out site defense plans and provide training and feedback to members to sharpen their skills, and exercises help maintain that knowledge to keep them ready.”

With these improvements in training and communication, Airmen are more confident now than ever in the wing’s ability to defend the base to enable sustained airpower generation.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth since the last exercise, and I feel like as a wing, we’re more capable and always ready to go,” said Farnham.