National Guard pilots conduct joint exercises

During the exercise, the 156th Wing was selected as a contingency location, where two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft and one KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft executed critical mission requirements,

By The Star Staff

Pilots from the Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Tennessee Air National Guards collaborated July 23 on Exercise Caribbean Fox, conducting Agile Combat Movements (ACE), air ramp operations and refueling in a simulated combat environment from Muñiz Air Base in Carolina.

“Caribbean Fox underscores our commitment to readiness and operational excellence in the Caribbean. This exercise not only enhances our joint capabilities, but also strengthens our partnerships with other Air National Guards, ensuring we are ready for any challenge that may arise in the region,” said Puerto Rico Adjutant General, Major General Miguel Méndez in written remarks.

The exercise, hosted by the South Carolina National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing, was designed to train participating units in dynamic scenarios over two weeks, providing training in key elements of the ACE Movement.

“Collaborating with the South Carolina and Tennessee Air National Guards during this exercise strengthens our joint interoperability of the ACE concept for the Puerto Rico Air National Guard within the Caribbean region,” said Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Brigadier General Humberto Pabón Jr.

“Caribbean Fox offers the U.S. Air National Guard the opportunity to train within the territorial framework of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, preparing our units to achieve success in great power competition,” added Pabón Jr.

During the exercise, the 156th Wing was selected as a contingency location, where two F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft and one KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft executed critical mission requirements and rapidly deployed under threat from simulated opposing forces.

“Supporting exercises like Caribbean Fox enhances the multi-layered readiness of our Airmen by employing direct inter-operational support from the strategic location of our installation,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Evaristo Orengo, Commander of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th Wing.

The strategic capabilities of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard in the Caribbean region allow for the execution of Agile Combat Movement exercises similar to those carried out in the Pacific, including ramp space, runways, a tactical geographic space with low terrain, various transportation routes over water, and the support of specialized aviators in response to contingencies and combat communications.