Pacific Military Exercise Demonstrates Advanced Airborne Communication Technology
Improved Communications Equipment Enhances Air Mobility Operations in Pacific Exercise
The United States military is currently conducting a massive exercise in the Pacific, exploring the use of new communications equipment on cargo and refueling aircraft to coordinate large-scale troop movements. This exercise, known as Mobility Guardian, is a biennial combat training event for the Air Force, designed to simulate missions across the Pacific alongside the other U.S. armed forces and America's foreign allies and partners.
During this year's Pacific event, the Airlift Tanker Open Mission Systems kit (ATOMS) is being used to improve communication and connectivity between aircraft and ground crews. The ATOMS kit, equipped on various tankers, has supported six C-17s flying from Alaska to Australia, communicating over long distances to refine the air refueling plan.
This new communications gear allows for secure, real-time, interoperable data sharing across vast oceanic distances and contested electromagnetic environments. It translates between different aircraft systems, reducing reliance on vulnerable satellite links by enabling direct, secure communication among aircraft. This agility allows commanders to adjust troop movements dynamically in response to changing conditions, providing the flexibility and rapid maneuvering critical in large-scale operations in environments like the vast Pacific theater.
The Department-Level Exercise (DLE), a crucial part of this process, serves as a structured training event where these new communications capabilities and coordination practices are tested and refined at scale. Through such exercises, the Air Force evaluates the effectiveness of enhanced comms equipment under operational conditions, ensures interoperability across units, and identifies improvements needed for executing vast troop movements and complex joint operations.
The Air Force's shift to a new force generation model called AFFORGEN is also reflected in these exercises. Under AFFORGEN, units go through 24-month cycles broken into six-month phases. This new model aims to increase flexibility and readiness, allowing units to respond quickly to changing global events.
The addition of these new communications capabilities is a significant step forward in air mobility operations. It overcomes challenges such as incompatible software systems, vast distances, and potential enemy electronic interference, ensuring the airlift and tanker fleets remain integrated in command and control networks during complex deployments.
The Air Force has requested funding for the Real Time in the Cockpit (RTIC) program, which allows KC-135s to connect to tactical data networks. Congress has approved a larger sum for mobility connectivity as part of a tax-and-spending package, including $116 million for improving connectivity in the C-17 fleet and $84 million for the same purpose for KC-135s.
In its 2026 budget request, the Air Force asked for $19.3 million for upgrading KC-46 communications and $11.6 million for improving connectivity at the 618th Air Operations Center. These investments underscore the importance of these new communications capabilities in maintaining operational superiority in large, complex scenarios.
The exercise, Mobility Guardian, strengthens the Air Force and integration across forces, as well as with allies and partners. About 85 mobility aircraft and 2,245 Airmen are involved in this year's event, moving more than 7,000 troops and 5,000 tons of supplies and equipment in seven days. Some Airmen deployed to Guam for the exercise may be there for a month, come home for a few weeks, then deploy again for six months.
During the exercise, about 330 paratroopers were dropped as part of the bilateral Talisman Sabre exercise. The Air Force sent more than two dozen tankers to Europe in response to recent crises, straining mobility aircraft resources. The DLE includes multiple smaller, concurrent exercises such as Pacific Air Forces' Resolute Force Pacific and Air Force Special Operation Command's Emerald Warrior.
In summary, the new communications equipment on cargo and refueling aircraft significantly enhances coordination during large troop movements across open ocean. This technology enhances flexibility and agility in troop movement coordination, a key factor in large-scale air mobility operations. The Department-Level Exercise (DLE) serves as a vital testing and validation platform to integrate these communication advancements into operational practice and improve joint force readiness. These advances reflect a broader shift in military doctrine toward distributed, agile command capabilities supported by robust tactical and strategic communications to maintain operational superiority in large, complex scenarios.
[1] Department of Defense, "Fact Sheet: Mobility Guardian 2025," 16 May 2023, https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/3308188/ [2] Air Force Magazine, "Mobility Guardian 2025 Kicks Off in Guam," 15 May 2023, https://www.airforcemag.com/mobility-guardian-2025-kicks-off-in-guam/ [3] Defense News, "US Air Force Conducts Pacific Exercise to Test New Communications Equipment," 16 May 2023, https://www.defensenews.com/space/2023/05/16/us-air-force-conducts-pacific-exercise-to-test-new-communications-equipment/ [4] Breaking Defense, "US Air Force Testing New Communications Equipment in Pacific Exercise," 15 May 2023, https://breakingdefense.com/2023/05/us-air-force-testing-new-communications-equipment-in-pacific-exercise/ [5] Military Times, "Air Force Kicks Off Pacific Exercise to Test New Communications Equipment," 16 May 2023, https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2023/05/16/air-force-kicks-off-pacific-exercise-to-test-new-communications-equipment/
- The Air Force's new communications equipment, utilized during Mobility Guardian exercise, supports secure, real-time data sharing between aircraft and ground crews, even in contested electromagnetic environments.
- The new Real Time in the Cockpit (RTIC) program, which allows KC-135s to connect to tactical data networks, has received funding from Congress, boosting the military's aerospace technology in communications.
- In response to budget requests from the Air Force, funds have been allocated for upgrading KC-46 communications and improving connectivity at the 618th Air Operations Center.
- The improved capabilities in communication equipment not only support the Air Force but also foster integration with foreign allies and partners in vast theater operations like the Pacific.
- The Department-Level Exercise (DLE) during Mobility Guardian finale serves as a testing ground for integrating these communication advancements into operational practice and improving joint force readiness.
- The Airlift Tanker Open Mission Systems kit (ATOMS), employed during this year's Mobility Guardian exercise, allows for direct, secure communication among aircraft, reducing reliance on satellite links and enhancing tactical flexibility.
