Bracer Forge builds warrior mindset for 81st Training Group Airmen

Published Aug. 6, 2025
By Senior Airman Kurstyn Canida
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFNS) --

More than 2,000 Airmen from the 81st Training Group traded classrooms and technical equipment for rucksacks and tactical gear during the first iteration of Bracer Forge at Keesler Air Force Base, Aug. 1, 2025.

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VIDEO | 01:48 | The 81st Training Group held a Bracer Forge exercise at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Aug. 1, 2025. Airmen from the 81st TRG took part in a series of physically and mentally demanding tasks including a 100-meter-high crawl, a Humvee push and a mass casualty and evacuation event. (U.S. Air Force video by Jonathan Carter)

Bracer Forge is a Second Air Force initiative to align technical training with operational purpose to defend, operate, generate and sustain an air base in today’s evolving security environment. Through scenario-based, hands-on exercises, Airmen from all career fields apply their technical skills in realistic, contested conditions. Whether defending networks, operating mission-essential systems, generating trained cyber warriors or sustaining continuity of operations, the exercise ensures participants are prepared to meet mission demands.

This year’s event also highlighted Total Force integration. The 403rd Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, provided essential support, giving students first-hand experience working alongside the reserve component in an expeditionary setting. The collaboration added realism and demonstrated how active duty and reserve forces operate as one team.

Airmen rotated through stations that included high-crawl rushes, pushing disabled vehicles, providing Tactical Combat Casualty Care and conducting field-based mission planning drills. The physically demanding scenarios required teams to communicate under stress, make time-critical decisions and adapt to shifting situations.

“Bracer Forge is designed to reinforce lethal, resilient and problem-solving Airmen who are physically fit, can operate in the field and adapt to changes,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Dubin, 336th Training Squadron instructor.

A group of people wearing rucksacks push a vehicle — Airmen from the 81st Training Group work together to push a disabled vehicle during Bracer Forge at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Aug. 1, 2025. Bracer Forge is a Second Air Force initiative to align technical training with operational purposes to defend, operate, generate and sustain an air base in today's evolving security environment. More than 2,000 Airmen participated in the 1-day event, which allowed them to rotate through stations that included high-crawl rushes, pushing disabled vehicles, providing Tactical Combat Casualty Care and conducting field-based mission planning drills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

A silhouette of a man carries a yellow flag at sunrise. — Chief Master Sgt. David Phillips, 336th Training Squadron senior enlisted leader, holds a flag to guide participants during a Bracer Forge high crawl obstacle at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Aug. 1, 2025. Bracer Force is a Second Air Force initiative to align technical training with operational purpose to defend, operate, generate and sustain an air base in today’s evolving security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

A man in a flight suit instructs people wearing rucksacks with lowering a litter carry to the ground — Capt. Jonathan Marek, 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron operations flight chief, instructs Airmen from the 81st Training Group on litter carry placement during Bracer Forge at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Aug. 1, 2025. More than 2,000 Airmen from all career fields spent the day carrying rucksacks while participating in scenario-based, hands-on exercises and applying their technical skills in realistic, contested conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

In addition to physical and technical challenges, the exercise fostered camaraderie and resilience across the 81st TRG. Working with Airmen from different career fields exposed participants to diverse problem-solving approaches, mirroring the environments they may face in future operations.

“Airmen were able to foster an expeditionary mindset, mission over function and get prepared to meet the Air Force’s demands,” said Tech. Sgt. Codie Linendoll, 336th Training Squadron instructor.

By the end of the exercise, participants left with a stronger sense of teamwork, a deeper understanding of their role in the mission and the confidence to operate in uncertain environments.

As the Air Force continues to focus on readiness and developing air-minded warfighters, Bracer Forge provides a vital link between classroom instruction and operational execution. For the Airmen of the 81st Training Group, the lessons learned will carry forward to every base, mission and deployed location they serve.