BRACER FORGE: 368 TRS Forges Agile Warriors for the Modern Battlefield Published April 7, 2026 By 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo -- The 368th Training Squadron (368TRS) is redefining technical training at Fort Leonard Wood with exercise BRACER FORGE. The 2nd Air Force (2AF) initiative is designed to take learning beyond the traditional curriculum, immersing Airmen in realistic, operationally relevant scenarios that instill a profound "Airmindedness" and "Warrior Ethos." By forging Airmen who are not just technical experts but also resilient, innovative warfighters, the 368 TRS is preparing them to dominate and meet the challenges of today’s pacing threat. The exercise’s full name is Basic Reinforcement Agile Combat Employment Range (BRACER) Forward Operations Readiness Generation Exercise (FORGE). It serves as a direct continuation of the principles introduced in Air Force Basic Training's (Primary) PACER FORGE, challenging Airmen to be physically tough, mentally sharp, and relentlessly focused on the mission. The Current Initiative: Mastering the Drone Age The most recent iteration of BRACER FORGE zeroed in on one of the most disruptive technologies on the modern battlefield: Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). To address the dual-use nature of UAS technology—as both a powerful tool and a significant danger—the squadron crafted a diverse training day. The training day prepares its Airmen—including specialists in ground transportation, engineering, pavements and equipment, and emergency management—for future conflict underscored by evolving UAS complexities. The exercise was structured around a series of demanding, team-based challenges: Training Station Description Counter-UAS & Capabilities In partnership with the Army's Maneuver Support Center of Excellence (MSCoE) Combat Training Company, Airmen received expert instruction on adversary UAS tactics and essential counter-UAS responses. Airfield Damage Assessment Team Challenge Teams raced against the clock to conduct an Airfield Damage Assessment on a simulated airfield, relaying critical data via radio to a mock Emergency Operation Center (EOC) responsible for mapping the damage. UAS Reporting Challenge From established defensive positions, Airmen were tasked with identifying and reporting UAS activity, testing their ability to communicate clear, accurate, and timely information under pressure. HIIT & "Boots & Utes" The day included a High-Intensity Interval Training workout and a culminating 5K ruck race, reinforcing physical fitness and team cohesion. Teams were penalized for not finishing the ruck march as a single, unified element. The UAS focus is a direct response to global events. As UAS platforms dominate conflicts in Ukraine and are employed against U.S. forces in CENTCOM, the 368 TRS recognizes the strategic imperative to equip Airmen with the skills to both counter this threat and leverage its operational utility. "By exposing Airmen to the dual nature of UASs—both as a threat to counter and a tool to master—we challenge them to rethink their mission sets and pioneer new solutions for the modern battlefield," a cadre member shared. The Foundation: Previous Iterations BRACER FORGE has undergone a deliberate evolution. This sixth iteration marks a significant pivot from the initial focus. Early versions of the exercise were designed to reinforce core Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) contingency skills already embedded in the schoolhouses’ curriculum. For example, previous iterations of BRACER FORGE immersed Airmen in a full-scale deployment simulation that included a deployment line, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), Forward Operating Base (FOB) Build-Up, Convoy Training, and UXO (Unexploded Ordnance)/CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs). While valuable, the 368 TRS’ leadership recognized the need to address critical capability gaps not covered in the traditional schoolhouse pipeline. This led to a strategic shift towards addressing emerging threats and refining skills required for next generation warfare, as demonstrated by the current focus on UAS and (counter) C-UAS Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs). The Future: Driving Toward the Next Fight The 368th Training Squadron is committed to accelerating the development of Total Force Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors (SEEBEES), and Marines. The goal is to increase the frequency of BRACER FORGE from quarterly to bi-monthly and run monthly physical exercise competitions through FY26. This intensified tempo will provide the cadre with data points to develop and refine training scenarios that are operationally relevant. The future of BRACER FORGE is centered on honing Airmen’s ability to "Defend, Operate, Generate, and Sustain (DOGS),” airpower. The squadron is fundamentally shifting its training paradigm to produce innovative warriors ready to execute the mission in small, agile teams under extreme pressure. The ultimate reward is witnessing the transformation firsthand. "We take them out of their normal environment and put them in charge, forcing them to overcome challenges and rely on each other," a cadre member shared. "It's incredibly gratifying to see that initial hesitation give way to resolve as they step up to motivate their peers." This raw display of teamwork and determination is the clearest indicator of success and the very essence of the Airminded Warfighter BRACER FORGE is designed to create.