1st Lt. Jimmy Cummings
The recent conclusion of Bamboo Eagle 24-3, a U.S. Air Force Warfare Center-led joint exercise, marked a significant milestone in the Air Force's reoptimization for Great Power Competition.
The exercise, which took place across several locations in California and in airspace over the eastern Pacific Ocean, was designed to test the capabilities of the Air Force and prepare the service for the challenges of the 21st century by specifically focusing on distributed command and control, disaggregated mission generation and the joint maritime environment.
“As an Air Force, we are learning that we are all going to be on the front lines,” said Maj. Gen. Christopher Niemi, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center Commander. “The USAF no longer has the luxury of projecting power from sanctuary bases. Airmen will be required to sustain the same operational tempo as before, but under the threat of large-scale enemy fires at a magnitude this nation has never seen. Unlike Red Flag, which only exposes operators to enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures, Bamboo Eagle exposes the entire blue kill chain to enemy threats, from the logistics airman loading pallets on a C-130 to the F-22 pilot engaging the enemy.”
A piece of the Air Force’s reoptimization efforts includes reorienting Air Combat Command. Bamboo Eagle is an example of what this reorientation looks like. By synchronizing this large-scale exercise in concert with Joint Force elements, ACC aims to increase the Air Force’s competitiveness for Great Power Competition.
“This iteration of Bamboo Eagle was a valuable opportunity for our Airmen to test their skills and demonstrate readiness in the face of Great Power Competition,” said Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of ACC. “The performance and professionalism of all the participants was exceptional, and I am confident the lessons learned during this iteration will help us better meet the challenges we will face today and in the future.”
Bamboo Eagle synchronizes with the Air Force Force Generation model and affords commanders the ability to certify their forces through the exercise events. This ensures force capabilities are optimally mission-ready when tasked to support Combatant Commanders.
“Today’s security environment requires us to be an agile, adaptable force capable of maintaining lethality in the face of a challenging and dynamic battlespace– Bamboo Eagle reflects that fact. The exercise challenges our team to operate in a contested, dynamic environment against high-end threats on short notice. Training in a combat-representative environment like this helps our Airmen and the Joint Force develop the right operational concepts, capabilities, and plans to bolster deterrence and maintain our competitive advantage against any potential adversary.” U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said.
The speed and scale of Bamboo Eagle was not lost on the exercise participants. Everyone involved worked tirelessly to ensure success.
"It was inspiring to see our Airmen take so much pride in their work as they poured their heart and soul into the mission throughout the exercise" said Col. Keagan McLeese, the 9th Reconnaissance Wing Commander. "Watching fully-engaged Airmen operate in expeditionary circumstances with smiles on their faces made me proud to be a member of the team. I know if our Nation needs us to deploy in harm's way, we are ready to answer the call."
From the forces on the ground tasked with generating aircraft and sustain ground operations to the forces in the air pulsing power forward, everyone was fully engaged in the 24/7 operations of the exercise.
“Bamboo Eagle was chaotic, but in a good way,” said Capt. Alexandra Gordon, an Air Battle Manager assigned to the 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron. “It was our test to be able to get aircraft airborne, get them checked in and then operating at a level that would meet a pacing threat. We had a young crew, and it was cool to see the learning that occurred throughout the exercise.”
Bamboo Eagle is just one example of the many ways in which the Air Force is reoptimizing for great power competition. Through exercises like this, the Air Force is building a stronger and more capable force, ready to project power and generate aircraft in concert with the Joint Force.
A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing taxis the flightline during Bamboo Eagle (BE) 24-3 at at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Aug. 2, 2024. Through the use of designated air space, BE 24-3 provides Airmen, allies and partners a flexible, combat-representative, multidimensional battlespace to conduct testing, tactics development, and advanced training in support of U.S. national interests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brianna Vetro) 
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and an F-22 Raptor assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron participate in exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3 with 32nd Air Refueling Squadron air crews over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 9, 2024. As part of the 305th Air Mobility Wing, the 32nd ARS operates the KC-46 Pegasus aircraft conducting air refueling missions necessary to support air mobility missions on a global scale. During BE 24-3, Air Mobility Command assets supported warfighters implementing all-domain combat-power generation from disaggregated basing locations throughout the western part of the U.S., along with distributed command and control, agile logistics and tactical air-to-air refueling. Bamboo Eagle provides participating units opportunities to highlight Air Force efforts to reoptimize for Great Power Competition and to focus on mission readiness to deliver cross-functional and lethal combat capabilities with the speed and agility required to meet pacing challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Monica Roybal) 
An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron over the Southeast Pacific Ocean during Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3, Aug. 7, 2024. Through employment of the KC-135 aircraft, the 91st ARS extends U.S. global power and global reach by planning and executing aerial refueling missions for U.S. and allied combat and support aircraft. During Bamboo Eagle, Air Mobility Command assets will support warfighters implementing all-domain combat-power generation from disaggregated basing locations throughout the western part of the U.S., along with distributed command and control, agile logistics, and tactical air-to-air refueling. Bamboo Eagle provides participating units opportunities to reoptimizing for Great Power competition and to focus on mission readiness by to deliver cross-functional and lethal combat capabilities with the speed and agility required to meet pacing challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook) 
U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command, and Chief Master Sgt. David Wolfe, ACC command chief, step off an E-3 Sentry assigned to the 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, for Bamboo Eagle 24-3 mission at Nellis AFB, Nevada, Aug 5, 2024. Wilsbach visited Nellis, and other locations involved in Bamboo Eagle in order to observe exercise operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Timothy Perish) 
U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command, and Chief Master Sgt. Dave Wolfe, ACC command chief are briefed by Lt. Col. Aaron Green, 99th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, about Bamboo Eagle at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Aug 3, 2024. Wilsbach and Wolfe visited Nellis to get an update on development, implementation, and the overall alignment of Bamboo Eagle as it relates to the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Timothy Perish) 
Staff Sgt. Robert McGuckin, 521st Contingency Response Squadron Noncommissioned Officer in charge of Contingency Fuel Ops, and Staff Sgt. Dale Jones, 521st CRS Aerial Porter, fuel a forklift before operations in Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3 August 2 on Edwards AFB, California. During Bamboo Eagle, Mobility Air Force assets will support warfighters implementing all-domain combat-power generation from disaggregated basing locations throughout the western part of the United States, along with distributed command and control, agile logistics, and tactical air-to-air refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Stephanie Squires) 
A maintainer from the 34th Fighter Generation Squadron prepares to inspect F-35A Lightning II aircraft at Santa Maria Aiport, Calif. During Bamboo Eagle, the 34th Fighter Squadron and 34th Fighter Generation Squadron are functioning as a force element at a “spoke location,” providing fifth-generation airpower to a larger force operating in the eastern Pacific region. The spoke locations are smaller than an airbase, a cluster of tents, a small footprint of equipment and personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Micah Garbarino) 
Staff Sgt. Blaine Cruz, 521st Contingency Response Squadron Ramp Operations, and Staff Sgt. Codale Vance, 521st CRS Airfield Management, marshal in a C-17 Globemaster III August 5 during Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3. During Bamboo Eagle, Mobility Air Force assets will support warfighters implementing all-domain combat-power generation from disaggregated basing locations throughout the western part of the United States, along with distributed command and control, agile logistics, and tactical air-to-air refueling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Stephanie Squires)