LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- In the face of evolving global threats, Air Combat Command is prioritizing combat readiness through rigorous, hands-on exercises designed to ensure its wings are prepared for any contingency. These exercises are a vital tool for assessing a squadron’s ability to execute mission essential tasks, (METs), effectively, a critical capability in an era where air superiority can no longer be guaranteed.
The proactive refocus on conventional missions acknowledges the challenges posed by near-peer and peer-level adversaries. This shift mirrors similar adaptations across the Air Force as wings adapt their tactics, policies, and procedures to meet the dynamic nature of modern threats.
“Readiness is lethality,” said Maj. Bryant Garland, ACC Inspector General, Chief of Division Readiness Assessments. “It’s all Airmen’s commitment to mastering their craft and embracing the warrior ethos, ensuring we are always prepared to project decisive airpower. This readiness validates our purpose: to deter aggression and defend our nation with unwavering resolve.”
Maximizing the value of exercises requires a shift in mindset. Airmen are encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the simulation, accepting its inevitable imperfections. While constructive feedback is valuable, the primary goal is readiness enhancement. By taking ownership of their training and approaching exercises with a serious and prepared attitude, Airmen improve their individual skills and leadership capabilities, contributing to the wing’s overall readiness certification. This proactive approach ensures exercises provide high value training opportunities that strengthen combat preparedness.
Combat readiness exercises validate unit readiness by assessing ACC wings through performance-based observation of squadrons executing METs, as tasked by a specific plan and reported in the Defense Readiness Reporting System, (DRRS). These exercises, overseen by the ACC inspector general team, directly evaluate whether wings are prepared for their assigned missions, which METs define for combat scenarios.
“It is imperative to guarantee that personnel are proficient in the execution of METs, particularly those pertaining to anticipated real world scenarios encountered during deployment”, said SMSgt. Rashawn Duffy, ACC Inspector General, Chief, Directorate Support. “Through these exercises, the IG team will identify strengths, areas for further development, and potential benchmarks applicable to other units, wings, and major commands.”
Leading up to a CRE ACC IG team provides and utilizes a multitude of products to define exercise objectives, enabling wings to focus on key points for success. These products include an independent assessment, report, feedback on exercise design and implementation, as well as guidance, assistance, and a channel for addressing complaints virtually or in person.
“Combat readiness exercises push the boundaries of existing capabilities and challenge Airmen to think critically and creatively to not only identify vulnerabilities, but to develop innovative solutions.” SMSgt. Kimberly Long, ACC Inspector General, Inspections Division Superintendent.
Wings are expected to implement new techniques, policies, and procedures as they are introduced. Exercises provide a crucial opportunity to validate the effectiveness of these changes across the entire wing. This generates a broad range of data for the IG, ensuring a comprehensive assessment that goes beyond the input of a limited number of individuals.