The USAF is introducing an improved model of its deployment assemble, known as Air Expeditionary Wing 2.0, based mostly on the full drive’s inputs and items’ suggestions.
The U.S. Air Power has introduced on Jan. 23, 2026, that it’s going to introduce a brand new deployment assemble later this yr, firstly of fiscal yr 2027. Known as “Air Expeditionary Wing 2.0,” the brand new wing unit of motion has been described as an improved model of the legacy assemble meant to “keep an elevated state of readiness to discourage and win in high-end battle.”
AEW 2.0
The usAir Power has now been working for some years to create its new method to producing and deploying fight airpower. Among the many most up-to-date fashions which have been evaluated are the Expeditionary Air Base (XAB), Air Activity Power (ATF), and Deployable Fight Wing (DCW).
These ideas allowed to assemble necessary classes realized which, along with the suggestions from the personnel who took half within the evaluations, allowed to additional refine the brand new deployment mannequin. Because of this method, the service says AEW 2.0 “displays up to date nationwide priorities and extra effectively makes use of expertise and sources.”
“AEW 2.0 permits us to current fight prepared forces,” mentioned Air Power Chief of Workers Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “It’s the subsequent step in evolving our readiness, and it’s based mostly on enter from throughout the full drive and suggestions from the key instructions and wings. This mannequin permits Airmen to coach at dwelling in a way per how they’ll function once they deploy.”
AEW 2.0 is described as a modular and scalable wing-level unit of motion that gives a standardized baseline drive bundle. Its construction is designed to be adaptable to totally different operational environments and mission units whereas remaining platform-agnostic.
In accordance with the Air Power, this permits combatant commanders to obtain a drive bundle able to airpower projection no matter theater-specific constraints. The service additionally emphasised that the brand new assemble preserves key benefits of earlier drive presentation fashions, notably the deliberate teaming of capabilities-based parts and their alignment with the AFFORGEN (Air Power Power Era) cycle.
In truth, AEW 2.0 varieties roughly 18 months previous to deployment , permitting all its elements to coach and certify as a cohesive unit. In flip, this avoids “degrading warfighting functionality” and preserves “capability on the host wing to meet the in-garrison mission and defend the homeland whereas the unit of motion trains and deploys.”
“AEW 2.0 will assist us transfer sooner and keep ready to battle wherever and each time we’re wanted,” mentioned Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham, the Air Power’s deputy chief of workers for operations. “A key energy of this unit of motion mannequin is the deliberate coaching and teaming that improves collaboration and readiness throughout the service. It’s crucial we proceed empowering wings and commanders with mandatory sources and steerage to be the agile, decisive drive our nation calls for.”
Coaching to Refine the Idea
All through 2025 many workouts featured the Deployable Fight Wing (DCW) and Agile Fight Employment (ACE), which allowed to check the idea and additional refine it. In accordance with an outline beforehand launched by the Air Power, DCW goals to “set up, generate, deploy, and function forces beneath situations of useful resource constraint and degraded communications.”
When this mannequin was first launched, the service mentioned it acknowledged the necessity for Airmen to coach collectively and construct crew cohesion, as they’re anticipated to “function in environments that can probably be extra contested than these of the previous 20 years.” This could enable them to “ship decisive airpower from day one,” mentioned the then- Air Power Chief of Workers Gen. David W. Allvin.
One of the current workouts which allowed to refine AEW 2.0 was train Mosaic Tiger 26-1, held Nov. 12–21, 2025, throughout a number of areas in Florida and Georgia. This train supplied one of many clearest seems to be but at how the U.S. Air Power expects its items to function beneath a future high-end battle.
The occasion introduced totally different specialties from Moody AFB’s twenty third Wing for a ten-day analysis of their potential to generate, defend and maintain airpower whereas dispersed, resource-limited and, in some circumstances, reduce off from increased headquarters. One of many unit on the middle of the train was the twenty third Fight Air Base Squadron (CABS).
“The Fight Air Base Squadron represents an entire shift in how the Air Power prepares for deployments,” mentioned Lt. Col. Justin L. Could, twenty third CABS commander. “As a substitute of piecemeal groups thrown collectively, this squadron has skilled collectively for the higher a part of a yr, constructing belief and refining processes so we are able to function at excessive tempo from day one.”
Could’s phrases echo the unit’s cohesion idea talked about by AEW 2.0 and DCW. This can be a notable facet as greater than 60 Air Power specialty codes had been consolidated into one cohesive unit accountable for base operations and sustainment in deployed environments.
One other ingredient examined throughout Mosaic Tiger and talked about as a part of AEW 2.0 is the deployable Wing Operations Middle (WOC). This can be a important facet of the brand new deployment idea which permits the unit to proceed delivering combat-ready airpower even when the communication house turns into contested.
Models usually function from a 72-hour Air Tasking Order (ATO). Nonetheless, ought to a communication blackout occur and persists over the 72 hours, items transition to a distinct planning logic, as a substitute counting on the commander’s final recognized intent, pre-briefed mission units, and direct coordination with adjoining items.
