Bamboo Eagle focuses on simulating realistic combat scenarios to prepare Airmen for the complexities of modern warfare. The 461 Air Control Wing led a diverse force of airmen operating across the continental United States specializing in command and control, air battle management, intelligence gathering, electromagnetic spectrum operations and close air support.
“Exercises like Bamboo Eagle ensure we can integrate across domains, services and alongside our Allies and partners, capitalizing on the latest technology to generate combat power,” said Col Adam Shelton, the 461st ACW commander. “They ensure we are capitalizing on the latest technology to generate combat power.”
Crew on aircraft platforms like the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System, RC-135V/W Rivet Joint, and EC-130H Compass Call honed their skills and refined their tactics, delivering decisive capabilities to the warfighter. Ground units such as the Control Reporting Center, Tactical Air Control Parties, expeditionary communication teams, and combat airfield operation personnel integrated across the exercise participant list to ensure combat effectiveness.
During Bamboo Eagle Airmen worked hand in hand with allied forces from the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and, for the first time, Royal Canadian Air Force. Bamboo Eagle’s combat representative environment allowed participants to hone their skills, improving joint and coalition interoperability.
“We had to be flexible and adaptable during Bamboo Eagle, operating from a deployed Wing Operations Cell posed challenges not seen in a garrison environment.” said Capt Anthony Reed, an A3 operations officer. “This exercise tested our ability to execute Air Expeditionary Wing principles as a non-fighter Wing in a contested environment.”
Operating across the continental United States, through multiple time zones, and with units inside the Pacific region is a challenging feat, one that mirrors the ever-evolving demands of modern warfare.
“Bamboo Eagle challenges our ability to execute decentralized decision-making,” said Col Shelton. “It empowers our Airmen at the tactical edge to internalize commander’s intent and make decisions to harness the flexibility and responsiveness required to execute dynamic missions.”
The 461st ACW is focused on becoming the lead command, control, and communications innovative and resourceful unit for the Air Force – making the goal of continuous improvement an everyday priority.
- Published
- By Tech. Sgt. Paola Brown
- 461st Air Control Wing
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