Lakenheath's F-15s tasted the ACE concept
From 15 until 19 March 2021, Lakenheath's 48th Fighter Wing’s LN coded F-15C Eagles and F-15E Strike Eagles carried out the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept in and over Estonia.
Aircraft from Lakenheath's 492nd, 493rd and 494th Fighter Squadrons, and a small body of airmen participated in exercise "Baltic Trident" at Ämari Air Base (Estonia).
The exercise was centered on the Agile Combat Employment concept of operations, showcasing the 48th Fighter Wing’s multi-capable airmen and their ability to work together with NATO allies and partner nations to effectively execute missions away from their home station with varying levels of support and a smaller manpower footprint. On 4 December 2020, we reported on USAF's ambitions to bring small parts of Dynamic Force Employment (DFE) elements to remote airports
ACE, part of USAF's Dynamic Force Employment, minimises the reliance on prepared airfields by enabling the dispersal of smaller units to various locations and still meet operational needs. Normally, supporting eight aircraft's operational needs would usually require over 100 maintenance airmen along with several aircrew and additional support personnel. Baltic Trident was executed with less than forty airmen and aircrew in total.
Photos: USAF