U.S. Air Force Airmen and F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing rapidly deployed to Decimomannu Air Base, Italy, Jan. 13 -16, for exercise Agile Buzzard.
Agile Buzzard was one of the first exercises to incorporate elements from the developing operational concept known as Agile Combat Employment, or ACE. This concept calls for forces to operate more fluidly in locations with varying levels of capacity and support. This ensures U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa are ready for any potential contingencies.
“Agile Combat Employment is a fairly new concept,” said Maj. Michael Watts, 510th Fighter Squadron operations supervisor. “We take our aircraft somewhere without all the accommodations of our home station, but are still able to turn around our aircraft and ready them for combat.”
Training exercises like Agile Buzzard enhance the wing’s ability to take command and control of a region, as well as deliver lethal airpower more effectively and efficiently anywhere in the world. Additionally they are designed to enhance partner interoperability, maintain joint readiness, and assure U.S. regional allies.
“This exercise is meant to give us a chance to try this type of operation for the first time at a base other than Aviano,” said Watts. “This is our opportunity to try ACE at a base we don’t have everything we normally have and still be able to execute the mission.”
As part of the exercise, maintainers practiced Integrated Combat Turns, or ICT, in which Airmen refueled and loaded weapon systems onto fighter jets while engines were running. The F-16s later departed to conduct air-to-ground training, and redeployed to the 31st FW at Aviano Air Base.
U.S. Airmen and Italian forces were able to extend their joint operational warfighting capabilities during Agile Buzzard through tactical training, the successful partnership resulting in progressive relationships in regional security and coalition operations.
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An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 510th Fighter Squadron takes off during exercise Agile Buzzard at Decimomannu Air Base, Italy, Jan. 14, 2020. Bilateral training exercises, such Agile Buzzard, and deployments enhance partner interoperability, maintain joint readiness, and assure U.S. regional allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi Goodsell)
Exercise Agile Buzzard
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Members from the 510th Fighter Squadron pose for a group photo during exercise Agile Buzzard at Decimomannu Air Base, Italy. Jan. 16, 2020. These bilateral training exercises and deployments enhance partner interoperability, maintain joint readniess, and assure U.S. regional allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi Goodsell)
Exercise Agile Buzzard
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A member from the 510th Maintenace Squardon painted a weapon during Exercise Agile Buzzard at Decimomannu Air Base, Italy, Jan. 15, 2020. During exercise Agile Buzzard, 510th FS members train to rapidly deploy to and operate from locations with varying levels of capacity and support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi Goodsell)
Exercise Agile Buzzard
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Members from the 510th Fighter Squadron prepare a F-16 Fighting Falcon for flight during exercise Agile Buzzard at Decimomannu Air Base, Italy, Jan. 16, 2020. These bilateral training exercises and deployments enhance partner interoperability, maintain joint readniess, and assure U.S. regional allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi Goodsell)
Exercise Agile Buzzard
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Damian Gallegos, 510th Maintenance Squardon weapons load crew chief, performs a pre-flight check of an F-16 Fighting Falcon during exercise Agile Buzzard at Decimomannu Air Base, Italy, Jan. 13, 2020. Exercise Agile Buzzard prepared 510th AMX members to rapidly deploy and operate in locations with varying levels of capacity and support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi Goodsell)
Exercise Agile Buzzard
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A 510th Maintenance Squardon crew chief waits to marshal an F-16 Fighting Falcon during exercise Agile Buzzard at Decimomannu Air Base, Italy, Jan. 13, 2020. Bilateral training exercises, such Agile Buzzard, and deployments enhance partner interoperability, maintain joint readniess, and assure U.S. regional allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi Goodsell)
Exercise Agile Buzzard
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt.Robert Ritchie, 510th Maintance Squardon weapons load crew chief, loads a weapon system onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon during exercise Agile Buzzard at Decimomannu Air Base, Italy, Jan. 13, 2020. Exercise Agile Buzzard prepared 510th AMX members to rapidly deploy and operate with varying levels of capacity and support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi Goodsell)
Exercise Agile Buzzard
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Airmen from the 510th Fighter Squadron prepare to load weapon systems onto F-16 Fighting Falcons during exercise Agile Buzzard at Decimomannu Air Base, Italy, Jan. 15, 2020. Exercise Agile Buzzard prepared 510th FS Airmen to rapidly deploy and operate in locations with varying levels of capacity and support.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Heidi Goodsell)
Exercise Agile Buzzard