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DCW: Little Rock leads deployment model shift

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Saisha Cornett
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. - U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Hammond, director of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Implementation Task Force, visited Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, July 31, 2025.

During his visit, Hammond met with Airmen across Herk Nation to explain how the Deployable Combat Wing (DCW) construct will enable critical changes to the way the Air Force organizes, trains, certifies and deploys forces to accelerate readiness and maximize combat credibility.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Hammond, director of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Implementation Task Force, receives questions from Airmen about Deployable Combat Wing initiatives at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, July 31, 2025. During his visit, Hammond emphasized that Little Rock’s strong infrastructure and mission-ready Airmen position the base at the forefront of the Air Force’s future force generation efforts.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Hammond, director of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Implementation Task Force, receives questions from Airmen about Deployable Combat Wing initiatives at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, July 31, 2025. During his visit, Hammond emphasized that Little Rock’s strong infrastructure and mission-ready Airmen position the base at the forefront of the Air Force’s future force generation efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Saisha Cornett)
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“Congratulations, Little Rock,” Hammond said. “You are officially one of the first two Deployable Combat Wings in the Air Force and the first in Air Mobility Command. This is a testament to your Airmen, your installation, and the outstanding reputation you’ve built through years of excellence.”

Hammond provided an in-depth overview of the DCW construct, explaining how it allows the Air Force to sustainably provide holistic combat capabilities that are certified and maximally ready to respond to requirements in any theater. Generated in alignment with the 24-month Air Force Force Generation (AFFORGEN) cycle, DCWs also allow the Air Force to better articulate its capacity to operate air bases and generate global combat power.

“For the past 20 years, we’ve been crowdsourcing from over 90 different bases to build a single deployed capability,” Hammond said. “We’re shifting to a model where capability packages from two to five wings come together to form a cohesive Deployable Combat Wing, trained and certified long before deployment day arrives.” 

A U.S. Air Force Airman asks Brig. Gen. Christopher Hammond, director of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Implementation Task Force, a question about Deployable Combat Wing (DCW) initiatives at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, July 31, 2025. During his visit, Hammond met with Airmen across Herk Nation to explain how the DCW initiative will enable critical changes to the way the Air Force organizes, trains, certifies and deploys forces to accelerate readiness and maximize combat credibility.

A U.S. Air Force Airman asks Brig. Gen. Christopher Hammond, director of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Implementation Task Force, a question about Deployable Combat Wing (DCW) initiatives at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, July 31, 2025. During his visit, Hammond met with Airmen across Herk Nation to explain how the DCW initiative will enable critical changes to the way the Air Force organizes, trains, certifies and deploys forces to accelerate readiness and maximize combat credibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Saisha Cornett)
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Building cohesive teams starts well before Airmen step out the door. It begins with reorganization of forces at the Wing level several months prior to deployment so that capabilities-based teams train and certify through the AFFORGEN cycle together. When they arrive in theater, these teams are coordinated and ready to get after the mission as a holistic warfighting unit of action.

During his visit, Hammond stopped by the Warrior Airman Readiness (WAR) Center, which was implemented locally in 2022. The center aims to meet the mission-ready initiative and enable Airmen to sharpen critical skills in a controlled, realistic environment. Its focus on deliberate, scenario-based exercises ensures that Airmen build the skills necessary to operate effectively as part of a DCW. 

As one of the first bases selected to transition to the DCW construct, Little Rock AFB will pioneer implementation, and its lessons learned will inform transition activities for future DCWs. Hammond acknowledged that the stand-up process will involve growing pains but emphasized the importance of Airmen’s input throughout the journey.

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Erin McCabe, 19th Civil Engineer Squadron readiness flight officer, briefs Brig. Gen. Christopher Hammond, director of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Implementation Task Force, about Warrior Airman Readiness (WAR) Center operations during his visit to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, July 31, 2025. Throughout his visit, Hammond explained the operational benefits of the Deployable Combat Wing model, noting that unified deployment packages will enhance mission effectiveness while minimizing the inefficiencies associated with the current “piecemeal” approach to deployments.

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Erin McCabe, 19th Civil Engineer Squadron readiness flight officer, briefs Brig. Gen. Christopher Hammond, director of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Implementation Task Force, about Warrior Airman Readiness (WAR) Center operations during his visit to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, July 31, 2025. Throughout his visit, Hammond explained the operational benefits of the Deployable Combat Wing model, noting that unified deployment packages will enhance mission effectiveness while minimizing the inefficiencies associated with the current “piecemeal” approach to deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Saisha Cornett)
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“We are moving rapidly on this initiative,” Hammond said. “Your feedback, your observations, and your experiences will be crucial as we refine this model for the entire Air Force.”

The Air Force plans to field additional DCWs across the force, to include Active Duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard Wings, that are trained and certified to deliver high-end warfighting capability to the Joint Force.

“We are reshaping how the Air Force presents combat capability,” Hammond said. “Little Rock, you are leading the way.”