Air Mobility Command has set a date for Mobility Guardian, its inaugural, large-scale exercise. For two weeks in August 2017, AMC tankers and air lifters will train like never before—focusing on all stages of a war, AMC Commander Gen. Carlton Everhart said at ASC16. AMC aircraft will set up airfields, fly humanitarian relief and aeromedical evacuation, along with airdropping soldiers for forcible entry scenarios, Everhart said. AMC tankers will use airspace in at least two states to refuel fighters, including F-22s and F-35s. The exercise will be headquartered at JB Lewis-McChord, Wash., with operations also taking place at Fairchild AFB, Wash. Mobility Guardian came about after AMC was forced to cancel the Air Mobility Rodeo because of budget cuts. AMC went back to the drawing board and, instead of scheduling another competition like the rodeo, planners focused on a Red Flag-like large-scale exercise. Weapons officers are planning the scenarios, which will also include international partners, Everhart said. Invites have been sent out to 32 other nations to take part, he said.? (For more, read Mobility Reset from our June issue.)
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
