In the face of adversity and hostile environments, the U.S. military consistently seeks innovative solutions to enhance its operational capabilities. Agile Combat Employment (ACE), a groundbreaking approach to military operations, stands at the forefront of these initiatives. ACE's core principles of mobility, flexibility, and resilience redefine the military's modus operandi.
Deployable shelters, integral to ACE, offer a sanctuary for troops amidst challenging conditions. Western Shelter's ECS-90 emerges as a leading example of deployable shelters, perfectly aligning with the demands of ACE operations. Read below to learn all about how Western Shelter can prepare you for ACE.
Unpacking the Features of Western Shelter's ECS-90
Western Shelter's ECS-90, a 3-in-1 expandable rigid wall shelter, is engineered for swift deployment and effortless transport. Crafted from a robust composite material, it can endure extreme weather conditions, making it a reliable choice for ACE operations.
The ECS-90's standout features include:
An expandable design that facilitates quick and easy setup
Air transportability for maximum mobility
4-side fork-lift ability for versatile handling
A flat bottom design that enables roller conveyor mobility
Roof access steps for enhanced functionality
A 60A power inlet to ensure a steady power supply
Interior lighting to maintain visibility under all conditions
Agile Combat Employment: Revolutionizing Military Operations
Agile Combat Employment signifies a paradigm shift in military operations. It departs from the traditional model of stationing troops and equipment at fixed locations. Instead, ACE disperses troops and equipment across a broader area, complicating enemy targeting.
Although ACE presents operational challenges, it also offers significant advantages. It complicates enemy tracking and targeting of U.S. forces and enables U.S. forces to respond swiftly to emerging threats and opportunities.
The five phases of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) are:
Posture: The beginning involves planning and preparing for ACE operations. This phase includes identifying potential operating locations, developing contingency plans, and training personnel on ACE concepts. The posture phase is critical to the success of ACE operations. During this phase, commanders must consider the threat environment and identify potential operating locations. They must also develop contingency plans in case their primary operating locations are not available.
Movement and Maneuver: This phase involves deploying forces to operating locations and conducting operations from those locations. The phase may involve using multiple transportation methods, including aircraft, ships, and ground vehicles. The movement and maneuver phase is where ACE operations really come to life. During this phase, forces are deployed to operating locations and begin conducting operations, such as air strikes, ground operations, or maritime operations.
Reaction/Protection: Now we delve into defending forces from an enemy attack. This includes using a variety of measures, such as air defense, electronic warfare, and ground-based security. The reaction/protection phase is essential to the survivability of ACE forces. During this phase, forces have protection from enemy attacks, including measures such as air defense, electronic warfare, and ground-based security.
Sustainment: In this phase, it involves providing forces with the supplies and services they need to operate, including food, water, fuel, ammunition, and medical care. The sustainment phase is critical to the long-term success of ACE operations. During this phase, forces must obtain the supplies and services they need to operate.
Redeployment: The last phase involves withdrawing forces from operating locations and returning them to their home bases. The redeployment phase is the final phase of ACE operations. During this phase, forces are withdrawn from operating locations and returned to their home bases, oftentimes using the same transportation methods to deploy the resources.
These five phases are not always sequential. For example, forces may need to move and maneuver during the protection phase if under attack. However, the five phases provide a general framework for ACE operations.
““The best place to kill an enemy’s air force is on the ground. Especially if that air force is postured in bases that are few in number and lack passive defenses — such as shelters and decoys.””
When to Employ?
The U.S. military would start using ACE in a variety of situations, including:
When facing a near-peer adversary: ACE is designed to be more resilient to enemy attacks than traditional, fixed-base operations, making it a good option for operations against near-peer adversaries.
When operating in contested airspace: ACE allows forces to operate from a variety of locations, which makes it more difficult for enemies to deny them access to the airspace. It's vital in contested airspace, where enemies may control large swaths of airspace.
When conducting operations in austere environments: ACE is designed to be more mobile and adaptable than traditional, fixed-base operations, making it a good option for operations in austere environments, where it may be complicated to establish and maintain fixed bases.
When responding to a crisis: ACE allows forces to deploy quickly and flexibly, which makes it a good option for responding to a crisis. ACE is especially important in situations where the enemy's intentions are unclear or where the situation is rapidly changing.
In addition to these specific situations, ACE is a good option for any operation where the U.S. military wants to be more mobile, flexible, and resilient. As the threat environment evolves, ACE is likely to become an integral operational concept for the U.S. military.
ECS-90 and Agile Combat Employment: A Perfect Match
The ECS-90 aligns seamlessly with ACE operations. Its expandable design and air transportability allow easy deployment to remote locations, perfect for phase 1 of ACE. Its robust construction and security features make it an ideal choice for operations in austere and hostile environments.
Moreover, the ECS-90's interior layout prioritizes functionality and comfort. It offers ample space for troops to work and rest and comes equipped with power and lighting.
As the U.S. military continues to evolve toward a more mobile and flexible force, the ECS-90 is poised to play a pivotal role in future deployments. Its ability to provide support and security will be invaluable in the bright future of ACE.
Here are two other Western Shelter systems that work well in ACE:
Guardian
The Guardian is a modular shelter system for rapid deployment and easy transport. We make it from the highest-quality materials that can withstand extreme weather conditions. The Guardian also comes with a variety of features that make it ideal for ACE operations, including:
Expandable design that allows for infinite scalability
Air transportability
Optional wall configurations can be swapped to configure for your use case
L-Track fittings can be used to support your custom needs
Interior lighting
2. MHCS (Mobile Healthcare Shelter)
A deployable medical shelter designed to provide medical care in austere environments. The MHCS comes with a variety of medical equipment, including beds, exam tables, and medical supplies. Here are the features that make it ideal for ACE operations, including:
Expandable hybrid design that allows for quick and easy setup
Air transportability
Interior lighting and other accessories that can deploy with the shelter
Building a base camp
Both the Guardian and MHCS are well-suited for ACE operations. They are both modular, which makes them easy to transport and deploy. They are also both made from durable materials that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
In addition to the Guardian and MHCS, Western Shelter also offers a variety of other deployable shelters that are well-suited for ACE operations. These shelters include the GateKeeper, the Sentinel, and the Sentry Airframe.
The ECS-90, Guardian, MHCS, and other Western Shelter systems are all valuable assets for the U.S. military in DoD operations. These shelters make it possible for forces to operate in austere and hostile environments, which is essential for the success of ACE operations.
The Future of ACE
As the threat environment continues to evolve, ACE is likely to become an increasingly important operational concept for the U.S. government. The U.S. military is already investing in ACE and will likely continue to do so in the future.
Here are some of the key trends that will shape the future of ACE:
The rise of near-peer adversaries: The U.S. military is facing a growing challenge from near-peer adversaries, such as China and Russia. These adversaries have the capability to target and destroy fixed bases, making traditional, fixed-base operations more risky. ACE is a good option for operations against near-peer adversaries due to its resiliency to enemy attacks.
The increasing importance of contested airspace: The U.S. military is also facing a growing challenge from contested airspace. In contested airspace, enemies may control large swaths of airspace, making it difficult for U.S. forces to operate. ACE is a good option for operations in contested airspace, as it allows forces to operate from multiple locations, making it more difficult for enemies to deny them access to the airspace.
The growing importance of austere environments: The U.S. military is also increasingly operating in austere environments, such as the Middle East and Africa. It may be difficult to establish and maintain fixed bases. ACE is a good option for operations in austere environments, for mobile and adaptable implementation.
The ECS-90, with its versatility and reliability, is a prime example of a deployable shelter suited for ACE operations. Its unique combination of features makes it ideal for operations in remote and austere environments. As the U.S. military continues to embrace ACE, the ECS-90 will be an indispensable tool for providing support and security.
Contact Us
To learn more about how Western Shelter can prepare you for ACE, or to book a training session with one of our sales representatives, contact us at sales@westernshelter.com or call 541-344-7267. We’ll be happy to help you accomplish your protective needs. Whatever your mission and whatever your challenge, Western Shelter will get you to complete mission-critical success.
Want to learn more about the ECS-90, click here for a full product run down.
