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USAF Fighter Wings execute ACE during UFS24
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Adrian Quiroz, 36th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, prepares an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft for takeoff during Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 at an unspecified location in the Republic of Korea, Aug. 21, 2024. Executing agile combat employment operations during this comprehensive joint training event ensures the 51st Fighter Wing can rapidly deploy and sustain operations under diverse and unpredictable circumstances. UFS24 is an annual combined exercise conducted in support of the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty that highlights the U.S.’s commitment to the alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell)
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USAF Fighter Wings execute ACE during UFS24
U.S. Air Force Airman Joselyne Jacobo, 8th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load crew member, secures an inert GBU-31 armament during Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 at an unspecified location in the Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Aug. 20, 2024. Training is conducted throughout the year to generate combat airpower at a moment’s notice, affirming the commitment to the Republic of Korea remains ironclad and ensures regional stability throughout the U.S. Indo- Pacific Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell)
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USAF Fighter Wings execute ACE during UFS24
U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher Newman, right, 36th Fighter Squadron pilot, performs pre-flight inspections during Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 at a cooperating base location in the Republic of Korea, Aug. 22, 2024. The 51st Fighter Wing participated in UFS24 to enhance agile combat employment capabilities during UFS24, ensuring aircraft and personnel are always ready to “Fight Tonight.” UFS24 serves as a regular exercise between the ROK and the U.S., ensuring constant preparedness for military forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell)
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USAF Fighter Wings execute ACE during UFS24
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron takes off during Ulchi Freedom Shield 2024 at a cooperating base location in the Republic of Korea, Aug. 22, 2024. Regularly testing response capabilities is vital to maintaining a properly postured force that is prepared to deliver airpower in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell)
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USAF Fighter Wings execute ACE during UFS24
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathon Michelotii, 8th Fighter Generation Squadron weapons load team chief, prepares an inert GBU-31 armament for transport during Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 at an unspecified location in the Republic of Korea, Aug. 20, 2024. Regularly testing response capabilities is vital to maintaining a properly postured force that is prepared to deliver airpower in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility at any time. UFS24, a defense-oriented exercise, focused on fortifying response capabilities to safeguard security on the peninsula. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell)
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USAF Fighter Wings execute ACE during UFS24
A U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron taxis towards the runway during Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 at an unspecified location in the Republic of Korea, Aug. 21, 2024. The agile combat employment operations executed during UFS24 ensures pilots assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing remain ready for deployment at a moment’s notice, no matter the location or circumstances. UFS24 is an annual combined exercise conducted in support of the U.S.-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty that highlights the U.S.’s commitment to the alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell)
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USAF Fighter Wings execute ACE during UFS24
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jefte Reyes Salinas, 36th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, performs pre-flight maintenance during Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 at an unspecified location in the Republic of Korea, Aug. 19, 2024. Participation in routine training such as UFS24 ensures members and aircraft assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing are always prepared to “Fight Tonight.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell)
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USAF Fighter Wings execute ACE during UFS24
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kaleb Sullenberger, 51st Logistics Readiness Squadron ground transportation operations center dispatcher, guides a forklift to load cargo for transport during Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 at a cooperating base location in the Republic of Korea, Aug. 22, 2024. Participating in comprehensive joint training events such as UFS24 reinforces the 51st Fighter Wing’s ability to “Fight Tonight” alongside Republic of Korea allies, defending the freedom of 51 million people amongst the ROK. UFS24 serves as a regular exercise between the ROK and the U.S., ensuring constant preparedness for military forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell)
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USAF Fighter Wings execute ACE during UFS24
U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher Newman, 36th Fighter Squadron pilot, prepares to take flight during Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 at a cooperating base location in the Republic of Korea, Aug. 22, 2024. Participating in UFS24 reinforces the 51st Fighter Wing’s ability to “Fight Tonight” alongside Republic of Korea allies, defending the freedom of 51 million people amongst the ROK. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell)
During the defense-oriented exercise, both wings rapidly mobilized to an unspecified location in the ROK, sending equipment, personnel and aircraft to test their abilities to generate airpower and conduct flying operations with limited resources in an unfamiliar environment.
“Executing ACE operations during UFS allows us to deploy small, flexible teams anytime, anywhere, while maintaining a minimal footprint,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeeno Justiniano, 51st FW inspector general. “It enables us to execute a wide range of tasks at any location, from assembling munitions to launching aircraft.”
ACE is a strategy that enhances flexibility and resilience of forces, providing the ability to swiftly respond to any conflicts from any location, while also presenting layers of operational unpredictability to an adversary’s decision making. Both wings, as part of Seventh AF, worked together to deliver tactical, live flying in support of the numbered AF’s command-and-control training efforts during UFS24.
“Exercising ACE as a live-fly event from a dispersed location allowed our personnel to test and refine the communications and logistical requirements from the headquarters down to the tactical units,” said Maj. Zachary Johnson, Seventh Air Force deputy chief of plans. “This enables us to further refine the educational requirements of our multi-capable airmen, and will inform how units are organized, trained, and equipped.”
This exercise also follows the joint-efforts of the Seventh AF’s “Super-Squadron” initiative, where the 8th FW temporarily reassigned aircraft to the 51st FW as part of a combat optimization test. This specific exercise movement was one of the first tactical movements of the joint Super Squadron initiative.
“The Super Squadron is more than just a merge of Fighter Generation Squadrons,” said Maj. Alex Carmona, 8th FW ACE Cell Lead. “Through application of tactics, techniques and procedures, we’re structured to support and sustain scalable ACE operations.”
“This training gives us military flexibility and better enables our forces to deter aggression, defend the Republic of Korea, and, if required, defeat any attack against the Alliance,” said Johnson.
The implementation of ACE during UFS24 is vital for maintaining a robust defense posture on the peninsula, showcasing the Seventh AF’s ability to rapidly respond to emerging threats under various conditions. The 51st FW’s participation not only highlights its adaptability but also reinforces the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance through the joint planning and execution of dispersed operations throughout the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific theater.
“We train alongside our ROKAF and fellow USAF counterparts to ensure we’re fully synchronized and ready to respond together,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Bryan Meek, 36th Fighter Squadron alpha flight commander. “UFS provides us with a wartime operational tempo so that when the time comes, we’re ready to ‘Fight Tonight’ with our allies, just as we’ve practiced.”
