Key Field Air National Guard Base, Miss. -- With today's world rapidly evolving, the United States Air Force has embraced an operational concept known as Agile Combat Employment (ACE) which emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and maximizing capability to enhance air power. During annual training, July 15-20, at the Combat Readiness Training Center, the Maintenance Group with the 186th Air Refueling Wing from Key Field Air National Guard Base employed the ACE toolkit.
In January of 2022, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. signed the service’s first doctrine publication on ACE, providing guidance for Airmen to rapidly innovate and generate discussion across the force to develop new best practices.
Considering this, Col. Douglas Manley, commander of the 186th Maintenance Group, set into motion implementing ACE toolkits on the KC-135 at Key Field Air National Guard Base. The development and use of these toolkits aim to enhance aircraft maintenance efficiency in all possible environments.
“The Great Power Competition (GPC) drove the creation of the ACE tool kit, " said Manley. “Our Airmen will be better equipped to face an unpredictable environment.”
The ACE toolkits are basic mechanical supplies that support the aircraft, making it flyable at all times. The kits not only house tools but contain consumable parts such as light bulbs, seals and fuses to sustain the KC-135 for multiple days.
Master Sgt. Shawn Savell, 186th Maintenance Squadron crew chief, spearheaded the creation of the ACE toolkits, after many conversations and in collaboration with the maintenance shops. Savell then built the kits to ensure our aircraft are mission-capable and airworthy at all times.
“This toolkit helps make sure we stay in the air so that everyone else can do their jobs,” said Savell. “One of the biggest benefits of the toolbox is ensuring the KC-135 is always ready to supply fuel to others.”
The 186th ARW emphasizes the importance of maintaining aircraft capability in a dynamic environment, particularly in the context of the GPC. The goal of these kits is to maximize survivability while generating air combat power. Innovative products like the ACE toolkits facilitate global reach and maximize capability anywhere and at any time.
“The ability to have these toolkits on the aircraft benefits us tremendously,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Williams, 186th Maintenance Squadron crew chief. “We now have the tools we need at our disposal allowing us to accomplish maintenance tasks away from home station.”
The implementation of these toolkits not only revolutionizes the way Airmen keep our planes operational, but allows us to get ahead of our adversaries in any location. ACE toolkits provide greater ability to outpace enemies’ actions through the expedition of maintenance.
The 186th Air Refueling Wing provides over 1,100 personnel and eight KC-135R aircraft to Air Mobility Command for worldwide operations. Additional units at Key Field include the 238th Air Support Operations Squadron, the 248th Air Traffic Control Squadron, and the 186th Air Operations Group. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the MSANG or contact a recruiter at 601-484-9213 or 601-484-9828. You can also find us at https://www.186arw.ang.af.mil/