ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 2025 Department-Level Exercise series, a group of exercises designed to bolster Department of the Air Force readiness and capabilities in a contested and dynamic environment, concluded Aug. 9.
The DLE series integrated multiple command exercises into a comprehensive threat deterrence scenario. Resolute Space, Resolute Force Pacific, Mobility Guardian, Emerald Warrior and Bamboo Eagle 25-3 were all part of the series.
More than 350 Air Force Reserve Airmen contributed to the overall success of the exercises that spanned from the Indo Pacific theater to the continental United States. Reserve C-130H, KC-135R, C-5M, and F-16C aircraft also supported the exercises.
"Our participation in the recent series of defense-level exercises was an example of how the Air Force Reserve projects power and supports allies and partners in remote locations," said Lt. Gen. John Healy, chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of Air Force Reserve Command, “Exercises enhance strategic depth while simultaneously building readiness in face of emerging challenges.”
“The Air Force Reserve is constantly conducting mission operations, and we are always exploring new ways of integrating with other components, services and international partners. We support all of our combined air forces as strategic force multipliers,” Healy added.
Mobility Guardian was the first exercise in the series and provided an opportunity for interoperability and joint integration among joint forces and allies.
The 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base mobilized their C-130H Hercules to augment 374th Air Expeditionary Wing C-130J Super Hercules aircraft as part of the exercise’s C-130 Mission Generation Force Element.
“More than 60 of our Airmen participated in the DLE series and arrived within 18 hours of initial notification,” said Maj. Steve Shearer, 700th Airlift Squadron pilot and 374th Expeditionary Airlift Wing C-130 Mission Generation Force Element deputy commander. “The 94th Airlift Wing integrated effortlessly with our joint partners, generating nearly 100 flight hours through 28 sorties.”
“In total, the C-130 Mission Generation Force Element, comprised of both H and J-model C-130s, transported more than 700 passengers, 145 thousand pounds of cargo and conducted 17 airdrops,” said Shearer. “There’s no doubt the Reserve force provides readiness and capabilities throughout the duration of this exercise series.”
The 913th Airlift Group, another Reserve unit operating the C-130, integrated with active-duty C-130J aircrews from the 317th and 19th Airlift Wings. All three C-130J units not only provided tactical airlift and support of U.S. Special Operations Forces, but also validated total force interoperability and exchanged best practices.
Other Air Force Reserve support to Mobility Guardian came from 434th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotankers and aircrews that provided aerial refueling and airlift to joint and allied forces.
“Being the largest KC-135 wing in AFRC makes us a viable asset to the DLE series, and as always we were up for the task,” said Col. Michael Albert, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. “Not only does our participation show that we are willing and ready to answer the nation’s call, but it also provides critical training opportunities while building partnerships around the globe.”
The 439th Airlift Wing at Westover Air Reserve Base also mobilized their C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft to provide strategic airlift during the exercise.
The next exercise in the series was Resolute Force Pacific, which included more than 400 joint and coalition aircraft and more than 12,000 servicemembers. Air Force Reserve Airmen played an active role during the exercise across several locations, including Hawaii, Guam, Japan, and international airspace.
While the 94th Airlift Wing not only provided tactical airlift capabilities during REFORPAC, through their-130H Hercules aircraft, the wing also served as an aerial port of embarkation for C-130H aircraft to deploy.
“Part of our responsibility as a Reserve force is that our Airmen are capable of seamlessly integrating with our joint counterparts to bolster national security objectives,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Parks, 94th Airlift Wing commander. “By serving as the lead unit for the C-130H Mission Generation Force Element during the Department-Level exercise series, the 94th not only showcased its readiness, but participated in irreplaceable training opportunities to validate our ability to rapidly deploy, endure sustained logistics in the Indo-Pacific region and effectively work alongside allies and partners in contested operational environments.”
Reserve Airmen from the 477th Fighter Group at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, also participated. They worked alongside active-duty F-22 crews from the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing to deliver combat aircraft capabilities to REFORPAC.
Bamboo Eagle 25-3 was hosted by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, Nellis AFB, Nevada, covered 15 military and civilian locations in Arkansas and across the western United States, including Hawaii and California. Over 100 aircraft participated, including four Reserve F-16Cs from the 926th Wing’s 706th Aggressor Squadron.
BE 25-3 also was a testing scenario for command and control concepts in a combat-representative environment. On the ground, the Air Force Reserve’s 349th Air Mobility Wing at Travis AFB, California, led a live Air Expeditionary Wing.
The 349th AEW Air Staff managed more than 90 combat sorties from the main and forward operating bases, and provided oversight, integration, operational planning, and management of combat capabilities of three assigned units, more than 300 personnel, and 26 aircraft.
“Bamboo Eagle provided an excellent opportunity for our 349th Deployed Combat Wing Command and Control Force Element to gain experience with managing multiple fighter squadrons at multiple locations, said Lt. Col. Sarah Forte, 349th Operations Support Squadron operations officer and 349th AEW chief of staff.
Air Force Special Operations Command hosted Emerald Warrior which took place at multiple locations across Arizona and California. The Reserve 919th Special Operations Wing, Duke Field, Florida, deployed its communications assets to support this exercise.
Reservists and Reserve aircraft participated in all exercises except for Resolute Space.
The successful completion the DLE series highlighted the Air Force Reserve's integral role in the Department of the Air Force's efforts to maintain a strong and agile force, capable of deterring aggression and ensuring regional stability across all domains, in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.