Air Force Academy Conducts Major Training Exercise

Colorado Springs, Colorado – The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) organized its annual CULEX, or wrap-up exercise, on Thursday, offering cadets a realistic insight into combat situations.

This extensive, around-the-clock exercise involves nearly 4,000 cadets who are immersed in a simulated warfare setting. Seniors take on leadership roles while juniors execute orders. This year’s event is scheduled for April 15th to 16th.

The 18,500-acre campus of the Air Force Academy, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, was transformed on Thursday into Hokkaido, a Japanese island facing an enemy assault.

“We’ve essentially taken over the entire USAFA, ensuring space for all 4,000 cadets to engage in their training,” noted Col. Jennifer Hall, the CULEX director.

In this exercise, Japan has called upon the U.S. to serve as a defense force.

“There are four airfields set up for this scenario,” Hall indicated, highlighting the four Joint Operating Areas (JOAs) where cadets will be stationed.

Each JOA includes about 800 cadets responsible for defending an airfield, two high-value targets, and a downed airman. The cadets also tackle real-world challenges, such as the injury of an officer and navigating enemy targets known as the “Red Army.”

“We brought in a company to engage with the Red Forces,” Hall explained. “The cadets are now playing the role of the Red Force, actively challenging our cadets in the field. They seem to be doing really well and are quite enthusiastic.”

“Our goal is to help cadets prioritize their decisions as they face various complexities introduced by the Red Force,” Hall elaborated.

While the scenario is fictional, its execution feels entirely genuine.

“You’ll find around 15 tents set up to create an austere expeditionary environment. Two of these tents are tactical operations centers, along with a medical tent and a warming tent,” Hall detailed. “Additionally, we have accommodations for the cadets, marking our first overnight experience.”

Some cadets are piloting planes, while others parachute from the sky. On the ground, hundreds of cadets, armed with airsoft guns, are safeguarding the camp and handling radio communications with troops under siege. Meanwhile, students in air traffic control apply drones and mapping tools to resolve real-world problems.

“The only effective way to prepare for the existing and forthcoming conflicts is to train outdoors, experiencing real-time situations,” Hall emphasized.

Now in its second iteration, CULEX emphasizes building confidence, collaboration, and leadership skills rather than merely assessing cadets on a pass/fail scale. The exercise is designed to recreate various environments that Space Force and Air Force personnel might encounter in the future.

“For our seniors, graduation is just 44 days away, and they will soon assume roles as officers in the Space Force and Air Force. How much equipment will they be able to lead, facing intricate challenges and proving they can accomplish tough tasks,” Hall stated.