28th Bomb Wing Airmen return from Air Force Generation deployment

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Calvin Garcia, 28th Force Support Squadron special action technician, center, holds a welcome sign during a deployment homecoming at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., April 12, 2024. Under the Air Force Generation, or AFFORGEN, model, Airmen deploy as a unit from the same wing and get the opportunity to train together before deployment, as well as return as a unit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)

28th Bomb Wing Airmen return from Air Force Generation deployment

U.S. Air Force Capt. Spencer Figge, 28th Civil Engineering Squadron, left, greets his wife and son during a deployment homecoming at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., April 12, 2024. Airmen assigned to the 28th Bomb Squadron returned home after completing a six-month deployment with the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)

28th Bomb Wing Airmen return from Air Force Generation deployment

U.S. Air Force Airman from the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron scans the horizon for aircraft during an aircraft demonstration at an undisclosed location in southeast Asia, March 14, 2024. The demonstration was part of a training exercise in an austere environment with little resources. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josephine Pepin)

28th Bomb Wing Airmen return from Air Force Generation deployment

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron perform a partner shooting exercise at an undisclosed location in southeast Asia, March 14, 2024. The Airmen took turns covering each other and shooting a target while approaching to build skills in accuracy and movement for real world operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josephine Pepin)

28th Bomb Wing Airmen return from Air Force Generation deployment

U.S. Air Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal Airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron pose for a group photo at an undisclosed location in southeast Asia, October 21, 2023. The photo was coordinated to commemorate the hard work and camaraderie the group has fostered throughout their time deployed together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josephine Pepin)

28th Bomb Wing Airmen return from Air Force Generation deployment

Published June 24, 2024
By Senior Airman Josephine Pepin
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Members from the 28th Bomb Wing recently returned from a deployment in U.S. Air Force Central Command’s area of responsibility as part of the Air Force Generation (AFFORGEN) deployment construct.

Ellsworth paved the way as a lead wing, tackling logistical and operational challenges from two ends of the world and reinforcing the U.S. presence for its allies during a time of unrest and conflict in the region.

“We encountered a dynamic operational environment from the outset of the deployment, and I am proud of how our cross-functional team stepped up to the challenge,” said Col. Joshua Wiitala, 28th Bomb Wing deputy commander and 332nd Expeditionary Air Base Group commander. “As lead wing, our role was to support ongoing operations while building capacity in support of US objectives for the region and our Airmen did a great job adapting to a variety of new mission-sets.”

The deployment was the first of its kind under the new AFFORGEN model recently implemented in the Air Force and represents the first change to the service’s deployment strategy in 20 years. AFFORGEN establishes a 24-month rotation cycle broken into four, six-month phases: Prepare, Certify, Available, and Reset. Airmen and units build readiness through the prepare and certify phases, deploy during the available phase, and reintegrate and reconstitute during the reset phase.

A key strength of the new system is how it strengthens unit culture for deployers. Under the previous system, Airmen received deployment orders in small batches from across the Air Force. As a result, most deployers would not meet their co-workers until they were already in theater. With this new model, larger swaths of Airmen are sent together from the same units and bases. Their teamwork and rapport are already established, making integration into the expeditionary environment much smoother.

“Our team hit the ground running when we deployed and that momentum continued when we returned home,” Lt Col. Bergman, 28th Bomb Wing director of staff and 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing chief of staff. “Integrating back into home units can be tough, but when you deploy with your team, the support, comradery and shared experiences return with you.”

For Ellsworth, this new model also meant exercises usually accomplished at home base could be performed in real-time at austere locations on top of typical deployment operations. This dynamic offered unique training opportunities to Ellsworth Airmen that further strengthened the wing’s expeditionary capabilities.

“Our Raider Airmen did a remarkable job supporting the new AFFORGEN model and successfully executing complex operations from both home station and in the deployed environment,” said Col. Derek Oakley, 28th Bomb Wing commander. “Their experiences and accomplishments will serve as an important guide as AFFORGEN continues to evolve.”