UK forces join huge exercise to test cutting-edge tactics

More than 10,000 personnel, including a significant number from the UK, participated in the Bamboo Eagle 24-3 exercise alongside U.S. and Australian forces.

This large-scale joint exercise, held from August 5-9, 2024, focused on testing and refining tactics related to command, control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C2ISR) systems, according to a press release from the U.S. Air Force’s 505th Command and Control Wing.

UK personnel were central to the exercise, which spanned multiple locations across the Western U.S., Pacific airspace, and virtual settings.

As the exercise sought to assess the effectiveness of joint multi-domain operations, agile combat employment, and other cutting-edge military techniques, British forces collaborated closely with their U.S. and Australian counterparts.

The goal was to improve coordination between different levels of command and to test long-range strike capabilities.

The 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) led efforts to identify vulnerabilities and improve tactical coordination, focusing on real-time C2ISR integration during high-intensity conflict scenarios. The squadron deployed experts across eight key locations, including the Air Operations Center and Joint Battle Watch, to maximise situational awareness. The exercise assessed the integration of U.S. and allied forces.

One key aspect tested during Bamboo Eagle was the effectiveness of non-traditional C2ISR concepts.

These innovations, aimed at speeding up targeting and execution, were critical in assessing the overall readiness of UK forces in partnership with their U.S. and Australian allies. Another priority was maintaining “friendly order of battle awareness” to ensure that operational-level forces were consistently aware of the positioning and capabilities of allied units.

Lt. Col. Brad Short, commander of the 605th TES, emphasised the importance of the data gathered during the exercise, stating, “The data and insights gathered during Bamboo Eagle 24-3 will inform a series of comprehensive reports and recommendations, which will be shared with the U.S. Air Force’s Combat Air Forces and allies to drive necessary changes and improvements to ensure favourable operational outcomes in future conflicts.”