Photo By Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Alexander Sallee, 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineer...... read more read more
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U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY – From the first shovel in the dirt to the first aircraft launch, U.S. and Royal Saudi Air Force service members demonstrated critical expeditionary airfield damage repair tactics during an exercise within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 16, 2025.
The exercise began with deliberate coordination between 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron leadership and RSAF service members from multiple installations across the AOR to rapidly restore a damaged runway, turning it into a combat-ready launch pad in just hours. The operation demonstrated more than just technical skill, it showcased the trust, teamwork and interoperability that sustains the foundation of successful regional partnerships.
“This type of engagement is important specifically in terms of showing proof of concept to our partner nations,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Michael Rich, 378th ECES operations superintendent. “By demonstrating our capabilities to our partners, it is more likely that they will acquire specific assets, which in turn will improve the possibility of future collaboration, strengthening both nations’ abilities to respond to an E-ADR operation, should a situation call for it.”
378th ECES Airmen worked alongside RSAF counterparts across each aspect of the mission, showcasing the diverse range of career fields within 378th ECES required to execute a large-scale E-ADR operation. Their combined efforts completed the mission in a fraction of the time a standard repair might take, preserving critical hours for aircraft to launch and generate overhead counter-air support.
As the security partner of choice, the U.S. Air Force sustains regional deterrence and strategic advantage by working in close integration with partner nations through a network of exercises, engagements and shared operational priorities.
The E-ADR exercise not only restored a runway, but reinforced an enduring bond.
“Engagements like this are a proving ground to develop mutual understanding of what both of our nations are capable of when they are called upon to recover an airfield after an attack,” said U.S. Air Force Captain Shanna Thomas, 378th ECES operations flight commander. “The alignment of post-attack response tactics, techniques and procedures act as a force multiplier as both nations know the steps of the process and can work together to supplement any unforeseen shortfalls. Ultimately this leads to minimizing the timeline to launch post-attack defensive sorties.”
It takes more than equipment to restore a runway; it takes trust, teamwork, and two nations committed to safeguarding regional security and stability.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2025 07:37 |
| Story ID: | 549382 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Rapid Repair, Ready Response: 378th ECES partners with RSAF for E-ADR exercise, by SrA Erin Dunkleberger, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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