Beginning this year, the Air Force is introducing Air Expeditionary Wing 2.0, an improved version of our legacy deployment construct, as its new wing unit of action. AEW 2.0 will be implemented in fiscal year 2027.
Changes in the global strategic environment over the last several years emphasized a clear need: maintain an elevated state of readiness to deter and win in high-end conflict.
To achieve this, the Air Force has reevaluated its approach to generating and deploying combat airpower. The service evolved its force presentation through different deployment models in recent years, including the Expeditionary Air Base (XAB), Air Task Force (ATF), and Deployable Combat Wing (DCW), to better align with future needs. The outcome of the feedback and lessons learned from previous models is AEW 2.0, a modified version of the Air Expeditionary Wing that reflects updated national priorities and more efficiently uses talent and resources.
"AEW 2.0 allows us to present combat ready forces," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. "It is the next step in evolving our readiness, and it's based on input from across the total force and feedback from the major commands and wings. This model allows Airmen to train at home in a manner consistent with how they will operate when they deploy."
AEW 2.0 is a modular and scalable wing-level unit of action that provides a standardized, right-sized baseline force package that provides the necessary capabilities to C2 and project platform-agnostic air power in any theater, which improves agility in our operations and preserves decision space for combatant commanders.
The primary difference between the legacy deployed AEW and the AEW 2.0 solution is that the AEW 2.0 forms approximately 18 months prior to deployment so that its teamed, capabilities-based components can train and certify as a cohesive unit. The legacy AEW model was enabled by crowdsourcing via the AEF process, degrading warfighting capability and making deployed unit cohesion and integration much more difficult. AEW 2.0 is a cohesive wing that arrives in theater maximally ready to fight.
This model preserves the critical wins of previous force presentation concepts: deliberately teamed, capabilities-based force packages that train and certify together through the AFFORGEN cycle. It also optimizes the balance in preserving capacity at the host wing to fulfill the in-garrison mission and defend the homeland while the unit of action trains and deploys.
"AEW 2.0 will help us move faster and stay prepared to fight wherever and whenever we're needed," said Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for operations. "A key strength of this unit of action model is the deliberate training and teaming that improves collaboration and readiness across the service. It's imperative we continue empowering wings and commanders with necessary resources and guidance to be the agile, decisive force our nation demands."
Other notable updates to the AEW 2.0 approach include the continuation of group command opportunities at deployed locations and implementation of Wing Operations Centers instead of A-Staffs at deployed locations.
