Edwards AFB Hosts annual Advanced Combat Training Exercise

Senior Airman Kendrick Johnson, Senior Airman Chase Delamar, Airman 1st Class Mason Land and Senior Airman Kristian Snoots, all from the 412th Maintenance Squadron clear a room during the annual Advanced Combat Training Exercise Close Quarters Battle Course at Edwards Air Force Base, California, April 2, 2026. (Air Force photo by Ariana Ortega)

Edwards AFB Hosts annual Advanced Combat Training Exercise

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jesus Contreras, 1st Lt. Jared Barnes and Senior Airman Noah Bugiada of the 61st Security Forces Squadron move to secure a building during the annual Advanced Combat Training Exercise Close Quarters Battle Course at Edwards Air Force Base, California, April 2, 2026. (Air Force photo by Ariana Ortega)

Edwards AFB Hosts annual Advanced Combat Training Exercise

Air Force 1st Lt. Jared C. Barnes and Senior Airman Noah D. Bugiada, both from the 61st Security Forces Squadron our of Los Angeles Space Force Base, plan their next move during the annual Advanced Combat Training Exercise Close Quarters Battle Course at Edwards Air Force Base, California, April 2, 2026. (Air Force photo by Ariana Ortega)

Edwards AFB Hosts annual Advanced Combat Training Exercise

The 61st Security Forces Squadron's Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jesus Contreras and 1st Lt. Jared Barnes, pull Senior Airman Alex Davila to safety during the annual Advanced Combat Training Exercise Close Quarters Battle Course at Edwards Air Force Base, California, April 2, 2026. (Air Force photo by Brandon Hernandez)

Edwards AFB Hosts annual Advanced Combat Training Exercise

Published April 22, 2026
By Giancarlo Casem
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --

The 412th Security Forces Squadron hosted the annual Advanced Combat Training Exercise (ACTE) at Edwards Air Force Base, California, March 30 - April 4. The intensive event drew personnel from across the enterprise, including key participants from the base’s own 412th Maintenance Logistics Squadron and 412th Maintenance Squadron and additionally members from the 61st SFS from Los Angeles Space Force Base, and the 821st Contingency Response Squadron from Travis AFB.

The exercise focused on individual and team combat mission-oriented tasks that integrated modern tactics, techniques and procedures as well preparing Airmen for emerging threats.

"This year's event was designed to forge a cohesive 'team of teams' capable of executing a complex mission set while testing participants as individuals and internal fireteams under extreme pressure,” said Master Sgt. Travis Dorvit, 412^th SFS weapons and tactics chief. “By testing our handheld counter-UAS platforms in realistic scenarios, we ensure our defenders stay ahead of rapidly evolving adversary threats and capture lessons learned to be provided to the enterprise.”

During the week, participants trained in combat skills, including small unit tactics: realistic repetitions in close-quarters battle, land navigation, and troop leading procedures.

During the ACTE, participants were issued a warning order and integrated as a "team of teams" to plan and execute a complex mission involving base defense and humanitarian aid in an austere environment. This collaborative leadership process is vital for mission success, reinforcing the reality that a failure to plan is a plan to fail, according to Dorvit.

Emerging threat training included counter-drone operations utilizing electronic warfare and specialized drills to detect and neutralize enemy UAS threats.

Integrating these techniques and familiarization into realistic expeditionary scenarios provided participants with techniques of counter drone planning and response to an ever-evolving threat. This event held a test of two of the security forces handheld jamming platforms capturing best practices, cost analysis, and max jamming capabilities against the most common sUAS platforms, Dorvit said.

The week’s events culminated in an Agile Combat Employment (ACE) force-on-force exercise. This capstone tested the participants' ability to integrate tactical knowledge and technology under pressure while in a competitive environment. After the dust had settled, the 61^st SFS went home to Los Angeles with pride as this year’s winners and a stronger knowledge base of tactics and procedures.

By combining foundational skills and counter-drone tactics, the 412th SFS has reinforced the Air Force’s commitment to readiness and excellence in security operations.

“Ultimately, exercises like this support the validation that security forces possess the tactical supremacy, adaptability and leadership required to dominate at their home station and in any contested environment.” Dorvit said.