U.S. Air Force tests dispersed operations and drone defense

The 130th Airlift Wing conducted Operation Northern Vigilance from September 14 to 20, testing the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) model through split-site operations. The exercise involved deploying a forward element to the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan while maintaining command and control functions at the McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in West Virginia.

A primary focus of the exercise was preparing for modern threats, specifically simulated drone attacks. To test base defense and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) capabilities, a white cell deployed actual drones over the forward location to simulate ordnance-carrying enemy aircraft. Personnel were required to identify threats, sound alarms, and execute cover procedures.

The wing utilized eight C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft to facilitate the movement of personnel, equipment, and logistics between the distributed sites. This approach aims to reduce reliance on large, centralized air bases and complicate adversary targeting by using a wider network of smaller, dispersed locations.