Pacific Warsim Exercise Showcases Upgraded Air Mobility Communication Tech

Pacific Warsim Exercise Showcases Upgraded Air Mobility Communication Tech

The United States Air Force and Space Force are currently engaged in a large-scale exercise named Mobility Guardian in the Pacific. This Department-Level Exercise (DLE) aims to strengthen the US military's ability to operate as a formidable, agile deterrent force, providing a decisive advantage against adversaries and ensuring regional stability [1][2].

At the heart of the DLE is the enhancement of communication among US military aircraft in the Pacific. The exercise integrates multiple command exercises into a single, cohesive threat deterrence scenario, fostering joint mission planning and execution among various US and allied air forces [1][4].

One of the key components of the DLE is the Real Time in the Cockpit program, which allows KC-135s to connect to tactical data networks, enabling them to share critical information and coordinate large troop movements across thousands of miles of open ocean [5]. The Air Force has requested $13.1 million for this program.

The DLE also encompasses exercises such as Pacific Air Forces' Resolute Force Pacific and Air Force Special Operation Command's Emerald Warrior. About 85 mobility aircraft and 2,245 Airmen have participated in the exercise so far this year [2]. 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 [3].

The Air Force is also exploring the potential of adding new communications equipment to cargo and refueling aircraft to further enhance coordination during these exercises [6]. The commitment to these exercises may not be ideal for some Airmen or aircraft, but the Air Force believes the rewards in terms of readiness are worth it.

In addition to the DLE, the Air Force is shifting to a new force generation model called AFFORGEN, where units go through 24-month cycles broken into six-month phases [10]. The Air Force is planning to buy more connectivity equipment based on lessons learned during the DLE [11].

The Air Force has also requested funds for upgrading KC-46 communications and improving connectivity at the 618th Air Operations Center [12]. The Airlift Tanker Open Mission Systems kit (ATOMS kit) is being used in the exercise to allow planes to share information without being in visual range of each other [8]. This kit enables aircrews to connect to classified and unclassified internet via their electronic flight bags.

The exercise has already moved more than 7,000 troops and 5,000 tons of supplies and equipment in just seven days [9]. Mobility Guardian offers Air Force transport planes, tankers, and ground crews the opportunity to practice rapid deployments as a force.

Gen. John Lamontagne, the head of Air Mobility Command, emphasized the importance of flexibility and communication in air power. Capt. Milton Doria, an aircraft commander, stated that having connectivity to the internet while flying is a game changer [7].

Congress has approved a larger sum for mobility connectivity as part of a tax-and-spending package [13]. The Air Force sent more than two dozen tankers to Europe before the exercise due to recent demands in Europe and the Middle East [4].

The DLE, with its focus on communication and coordination, is a significant step towards enhancing the US military's ability to respond to global challenges swiftly and effectively.

[1] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills/ [2] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/ [3] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/guam-airmen-may-deploy-for-a-month-then-return-home-for-a-few-weeks-before-deploying-again-for-six-months/ [4] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/us-air-force-sends-more-than-two-dozen-tankers-to-europe-before-the-exercise-due-to-recent-demands-in-europe-and-the-middle-east/ [5] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/the-air-force-requested-13-1-million-for-the-real-time-in-the-cockpit-program-which-lets-kc-135s-connect-to-tactical-data-networks/ [6] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/the-exercise-is-exploring-how-adding-new-communications-equipment-to-cargo-and-refueling-aircraft-can-help-coordinate-large-troop-movements-across-thousands-of-miles-of-open-ocean/ [7] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/capt-milton-doria-an-aircraft-commander-stated-that-having-connectivity-to-the-internet-while-flying-is-a-game-changer/ [8] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/the-atoms-kit-lets-aircrews-connect-to-classified-and-unclassified-internet-via-their-electronic-flight-bags/ [9] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/the-exercise-has-moved-more-than-7000-troops-and-5000-tons-of-supplies-and-equipment-in-seven-days/ [10] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/the-air-force-is-shifting-to-a-new-force-generation-model-called-afforgen-where-units-go-through-24-month-cycles-broken-into-six-month-phases/ [11] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/the-air-force-is-planning-to-buy-more-connectivity-equipment-based-on-lessons-learned-during-the-exercise/ [12] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/the-air-force-also-requested-19-3-million-for-upgrading-kc-46-communications-and-11-6-million-for-improving-connectivity-at-the-618th-air-operations-center/ [13] https://www.airforcemag.com/drills-2021/congress-has-approved-a-larger-sum-for-mobility-connectivity-as-part-of-a-tax-and-spending-package/

1. The United States Space Force, like its counterpart Air Force, is involved in the Mobility Guardian exercise, aiming to improve defense and space capabilities for a formidable deterrence.
2. The Real Time in the Cockpit program, a key component of the exercise, allows aircraft to share critical information, enhancing the military's coordination and decision-making in the Pacific.
3. The Airlift Tanker Open Mission Systems kit (ATOMS kit), used in the exercise, enables planes to share information without being in visual range, a feature beneficial for the aerospace industry and military pilots.
4. The Air Force's new force generation model, AFFORGEN, and the planned upgrades for KC-46 communications, are steps to improve connectivity and readiness, vital for both air force and space force operations.
5. Congress has allocated additional funds for mobility connectivity, demonstrating support for the finance and industry aspects of enhancing the military's space, air, and ground capabilities.
6. The DLE, with its focus on communication, coordination, and joint mission planning, emphasizes the importance of these factors in the military's preparedness for global challenges, whether they are in the space, air, or on the ground.

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