The United States recently conducted one of the largest military exercises in its recent history in the eastern Pacific, seen by many as a clear response to the growing military power of the People’s Republic of China. The exercise, held between August 2 and 10, is part of Washington’s strategy to shift its military focus from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Called “Bamboo Eagle 24-3”, the exercise is the second iteration this year, after the first edition between January and February. The name “Bamboo Eagle” is no doubt the inspiration behind the exercise: on the one hand, the bamboo, a reference to China, and on the other, the eagle, a symbol of America. Organized by the US Air Force Combat Center, the exercise was held in several locations along the US West Coast and Eastern Pacific.
Unlike the well-known exercise Red Flag, which focuses on advanced air warfare, Bamboo Eagle 24-3 was developed mainly over seas to simulate a conflict scenario in the Indo-Pacific region. Separated air combat zones for training extended 600 nautical miles (approximately 1,100 kilometers) into the sea and up to 80,000 feet (approximately 24,000 meters) in terms of altitude to guarantee operational privacy and avoid external interference. .
More than 150 aircraft and 3,000 soldiers, including units from the UK and Australia, participated in the exercise. According to Brigadier General Gerald Donohue, the operation was “an important opportunity to test the American ability to execute operations immediately upon arrival in theater, with the objective of maneuvering the combined force with speed, size and mass.”
To increase the effectiveness of the exercise, the aircraft were distributed among several civilian air bases and airports along the California coast, unlike Red Flag, where all aircraft were normally concentrated at one air base. During the Bamboo Eagle era, distributed command and control techniques, agile logistics and tactical aerial refueling were implemented.
Maj. Gen. Christopher Niemi, commander of the U.S. Air Force Combat Center, highlighted the importance of the Bamboo Eagle, reflecting the strategic challenge that China represents, and the U.S. Air Force’s commitment to focus on great power competition.
Overcoming the ‘tyranny of distance’
The United States has the most powerful air force in the world, and almost every type of aircraft must be in service for the Bamboo Eagle 24-3 training. Due to the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, the main focus of this exercise is in-flight refueling logistics, which are essential for long-range operations. At times, 17 air tankers, including Boeing KC-46A Pegasus, were operated simultaneously.
The expression ‘tyranny of distance’ describes well the challenge the Pacific represents. To give you an idea, the straight-line distance between São Francisco and Formosa Island is approximately 10,000 kilometers, which would require a KC-46 to fly about 12 hours at 850 km/h. Even from the island of Guam, the distance is vast, covering about 2,600 kilometers in a three-hour flight. A normal operation with fighter jets would require multiple refuelings during the round trip.
In addition to in-flight refueling aircraft, 24-3 fighter jets such as the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, F-22 Raptor and F-16 Fighting Falcon, as well as Rockwell B-1B Lancer and Boeing bombers participated. Bamboo Eagle 24-3 B-52H Stratfords. These aircraft, especially bombers, are used for long missions, often lasting more than 20 hours.
Among the support aircraft, Boeing E-3 AWACS (Airborne Warning and Airborne Control), Northrop Grumman E-11A BACN (Battlefield Air Communications Node) and Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint are used to collect electronic signals.
E-3 AWACS detect enemy aircraft and manage air combat, sending real-time information to command. They are expected to soon be replaced by the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail already in service with the Australian Air Force. Interestingly, during a recent pitch block exercise in Australia, US operators worked with the aircraft to prepare for its entry into US service.
The E-11A BACN, derived from the Bombardier BD700 business jet, is less well-known but plays an important role in enabling information exchange between various platforms, such as the F-22 and a special operations force on the ground. For several years, a small fleet of EQ-4B Global Hawk drones performed this role until it was decommissioned in 2021.
The RC-135W Rivet Joint is an aircraft that collects electromagnetic signals on both radar and communications bands to help determine targets for attacks and monitor enemy communications in real time. This means that the group consists mostly of linguists.
The role of private companies and the US Air Force
Another interesting aspect of the exercise was the deployment of “Aggressor” aircraft, known as ‘Aggressors’, which were F-5s from the Tactical Air Support (formerly Royal Jordanian Air Force). Although it may seem unusual, in the United States and other countries, it is normal for specialized agencies to provide this type of service, simulating a potential enemy for military training. These F-5s operated alongside F-16s from the USAF’s 706th Fighter Squadron based at Nellis.
Additionally, the inevitable Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transports participated. While this is not necessary in this exercise, others use aircraft that simulate cruise missiles. -1) or the Sonex Aircraft SubSonex JSX-2, recently used in the Northern Strike 24-2 exercise.
The growing threat posed by China in the Pacific has led the US to concentrate efforts in this part of the world. However, this is not the only area of tension. Recently, the US sent a submarine, warships and warplanes to the Middle East in response to rising tensions between Iran and Israel. However, tensions with China and Taiwan remain Washington’s main concern. Exercises like the Bamboo Eagle are, in fact, a rehearsal for a potential conflict situation that everyone hopes will never happen.