Earlier this summer, the Fighting Gators of the 53rd Combat Airfield Operations Squadron held their Gator Flex 24-1 certification exercise.
Conducted at multiple locations across the region, the exercise demonstrated the Gators’ impressive ability to conduct operations in austere environments with limited support. This exercise is directly in line with the larger Air Force’s effort of Agile Combat Employment, or ACE. By training in these difficult conditions, the 53rd CAOS works to ensure they can handle the increased capacity and challenges demanded during a time of Great Power Competition.
Redesignated from the 53rd Air Traffic Control Squadron to CAOS in 2023 to better match their evolving mission set, the Gators are the only active-duty combat airfield operations squadron in the Air Force. They are a driving force behind the airfield operations shift from a counterinsurgency-based mindset to operating in dispersed and contested environments.
Operating out of airfields without preexisting equipment and support comes with a variety of obstacles. Staff Sgt. Bryan Boulanger, one of the 53rd CAOS’ landing zone safety officers, spoke to the unique difficulties of the exercise.
“It has done a good job at preparing us for potential real-world scenarios,” he said. “The biggest challenge is limited resources and living out in the field.”
Throughout Gator Flex 24-1, members of the 53rd CAOS consistently overcame hurdles associated with working within an ACE construct.
Airman 1st Class Justin Rose, a Radar Airfield and Weather Systems technician, had to assist with equipment repair remotely.
“I had to walk a captain and master sergeant (at a separate location) through the setup of one of our navigation aids,” he said. “There was a wire that popped in transit due to bumpy roads and difficult terrain.”
Despite them not being trained up on the system, Rose successfully directed the other two members remotely through the repair process.
Gator Flex 24-1 provided training to more than just the 53rd CAOS. C-130 Hercules & C-17 Globemaster aircraft from surrounding Air Force squadrons participated in the exercise, in addition to U.S. Marine Corps personnel who were on hand to observe and assess, making this a total force and joint effort.
Tech. Sgt. Omar Vallejo, noncommissioned officer in charge of plans for Gator Flex 24-1, highlighted the value of this cooperation.
“These agencies want to get after (ACE),” he said. “We’re allowing them to exercise their ACE concepts, while at the same time we are building up and exercising our own ACE concepts.”
Lt. Col. Charles Chapot, 53rd CAOS commander, praised the performance of his Gators and other units who joined in on the exercise.
“This exercise showcased the 53rd CAOS incorporating all phases of exercise preparation, execution and follow up. This was the first time the Fighting Gators have executed a multi-phased deliberate planning process. CAOS members integrated airfield operations into Great Power Competition scenarios. We developed and planned a certifying level event. We executed a full-scale Phase I mobilization and Phase II execution exercise, to include providing inspection members and white-cell capabilities. This whole of squadron effort was amplified with external support from the 461st Air Control Wing Inspector General, the 78th Logistics Readiness Squadron, the 5th Combat Communications Group and Air Mobility Command support. This enabled the squadron to learn vital lessons during its first employment as a Demand Force Team.”