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Advanced Ready Training: 19th CABS builds expeditionary competencies
Advanced Ready Training: 19th CABS builds expeditionary competencies
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Little Rock, Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Airmen from across Team Little Rock sharpened their expeditionary skills as the 19th Combat Air Base Squadron (CABS) participated in Advanced Ready Training (ART) aligned with the Air Force’s evolving Unit of Action concepts Dec. 15-19, 2025.
The scenario-driven training is designed to prepare units to deploy and operate together in contested environments and prioritizes deploying cohesive, mission-ready teams rather than individual Airmen. Rather than sending Airmen to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL), New Jersey, for training, instructors from a range of different Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC) brought the curriculum directly to the 19th CABS.
“This training is about meeting Airmen where they are and giving them the confidence and skills they need to operate as a team,” said Staff Sgt. Kieran Coffey, 421st Combat Training Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge instructor coach. “By bringing this training directly to the unit, we’re able to deliver the same level of high-quality instruction while allowing Airmen to train in an environment they’ll deploy from.”
Supported by a mobile training team from the 421st Combat Training Squadron from JB MDL, the program emphasized advanced expeditionary skills including defensive fighting positions, escalation of force procedures, austere environment operations and explosive hazard awareness.
“We bring a plethora of different forces with us to show the Airmen it doesn’t matter what career field that you’re in, all of us can fight the same way and train the same way for deployment,” said Tech. Sgt. Kyle Bolin, Advanced Ready Training Core section chief.
For Airmen participating in the ART program – which is made up of courses from the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Operations School – the experience reinforced both technical proficiency and confidence. Throughout the week, instructors observed noticeable growth among participants, particularly in problem-solving, communication and unit cohesion. Scenarios were intentionally designed to mirror the complexity and uncertainty of real-world operations, forcing Airmen to adapt quickly and work together to accomplish the mission.
“War is dynamic, and our Airmen have to be ready to operate in environments that aren’t predictable,” Coffey said. “This type of training builds confidence and capability, which is critical for future conflicts.”
As the CABS continues to refine its role within the Unit of Action framework, leaders emphasized the importance of readiness-focused training like this that involves Airmen from diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
“It’s important for Airmen across various AFSCs to train together in this environment because this is how we fight,” said Lt. Col. Freddie Stephens II, 19th CABS commander. “When you go downrange it’s not one functional unit or one functional, core area that does anything alone.”
By integrating Airmen from multiple career fields and units, the training reinforced the idea that combat readiness is a shared responsibility. As Little Rock AFB continues to adapt to the Air Force’s future deployment model, efforts like this ensure Team Little Rock remains ready to deploy, fight, and sustain operations at any time, from any location.
The emphasis on teamwork and cross-training during the Advanced Ready Training showcases the evolving approach of the U.S. Air Force towards expeditionary operations. By honing skills that span various roles, Airmen are better prepared for the complexities of modern warfare. This approach may indicate a growing trend within military training that prioritizes versatility and collaboration, essential for addressing unpredictability on the battlefield. It's clear that as threats evolve, so too must our tactical training strategies, aligning with broader military doctrines to maintain operational readiness.