US Air Force special operators went to Alaska to practice refueling F-22s in extreme cold weather for the first time
"The ability to refuel aircraft at forward airfields and in austere environments is a critical element of Agile Combat Employment," said US Air Force Col. Robert Davis, commander of the 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
The ACE concept provides special operations forces an opportunity to produce lethality with a smaller footprint.
"Bringing together [Air Force Special Operations Command] and the [Conventional Air Force] capitalizes on the rapid planning cycle and precision lethality of Special Tactics in combination with the overwhelming firepower of the CAF," said a Special Tactics officer and one of the leads for the exercise.
"We are able to break open opportunities not afforded to aircraft, like the F-22, in a major combat operation when we rapidly seize an airfield and utilize it to rearm and refuel air dominance assets to keep them in the fight."
The training familiarized Special Tactics operators with the Air Force's fifth-generation aircraft, providing unmatched lethality and adaptability to the warfighter.
"F-22s and F-35s were designed to compete and win against advanced adversaries," said a Special Tactics officer.
"Working with the newest and most advanced fighters in the Air Force provides [Special Tactics] the opportunity to maintain technological edge and develop the tactics, techniques and procedures needed in order to leverage their full capabilities."
During this exercise, Special Tactics operators integrated with an MC-130J Commando II and F-22 Raptors. The airfield was surveyed, secured and operated by an ST team while the C-130 crew refueled the fighters.
The environment allowed ST teams to train on how to best prepare and pack for an extreme cold weather mission as well as perform certain tasks with decreased dexterity.
"This year's location pushed our limits on sustainability in a major combat operation and provided an opportunity to refine and rewrite TTPs for a challenging operational environment," the STO said.
Emerald Warrior is a US Special Operations Command-directed exercise focusing on irregular warfare in a joint, NATO combined realistic environment. This training hones special operations forces' air and ground combat skills and the development of improved tactics, techniques and procedures, while strengthening relationships for future deployments.
For Special Tactics, Emerald Warrior is a way to execute and demonstrate a range of skills while integrating the capabilities of joint assets and allies, maintaining an edge over the nation's adversaries.
"The team was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the professionals in the F-22 and MC-130 community," the STO said. "We experienced incredible motivation and creative problem solving to push this program forward."
Special Tactics is US Special Operations Command's tactical air and ground integration force, and the Air Force's special operations ground force, leading global access, precision strike, personnel recovery and battlefield surgery operations.
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