U.S. Air Force

Air Base Squadrons

The squadrons that build, defend, and sustain air bases in contested environments. From bare base standup in Desert Storm to Agile Combat Employment, Air Base squadrons turn empty terrain into operational airfields.

Building the Fight WWII - Present

AIR BASE

BASE OPERATIONS

Air Base Squadrons

Build It / Defend It / Sustain It

Air Base squadrons provide the full spectrum of installation support that turns a location into an operational airfield. They manage infrastructure, coordinate tenant support, handle emergency management, and maintain facilities. During contingencies, Air Base elements deploy to build expeditionary air bases from scratch. Every runway, control tower, chow hall, and hangar exists because Air Base personnel built it or manage it. Read more

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Expeditionary Air Basing 1990 - Present

DESERT STORM

SOUTHWEST ASIA

Desert Storm Bare Bases

Building Airfields from Sand

When the Air Force deployed to Saudi Arabia in August 1990, many bases that would launch Desert Storm sorties did not exist yet. Air Base personnel stood up bare bases across the Saudi desert, installing fuel systems, runway lighting, billeting, and comms in days. The ability to create operational airfields from nothing gave CENTCOM the dispersed basing needed to sustain 24-hour operations. Read more

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ACE

PACIFIC PIVOT

Agile Combat Employment

Distributed Basing for Great Power

Agile Combat Employment is reshaping air basing. Instead of large fixed bases, ACE distributes forces across smaller locations harder to target. Air Base squadrons are central to ACE. Multi-capable airmen trained in standup, aircraft recovery, damage repair, and force protection can turn a highway strip into a temporary operating location in hours. The Pacific theater is driving this transformation. Read more

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ABW

Air Base Wings

ACE

Agile Combat Employ

Global

Installations

MCA

Multi-Capable Airmen