Brig Gen Snelson and the Next Chapter of the Expeditionary Center Strategy

At a time when global threats are evolving at an unprecedented pace, the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center (USAFEC) stands as a critical pillar of rapid global mobility and operational readiness. Under the leadership of Brig Gen Stephen P. Snelson, the Expeditionary Center (EC) is entering a transformative era, redefining its mission to meet the challenges of Great Power Competition.

Having completed his first one hundred days as Commander, Snelson has set a bold course for the EC, emphasizing innovation, resilience, and leadership development. The EC’s updated 2025 strategy positions it as a forward-thinking force, ensuring that Airmen are prepared for the complexities of 21st-century warfare.

This article delves into the key components of the EC’s strategy and highlights how Snelson’s dynamic vision is empowering Airmen to thrive in rapidly changing environments.

A Vision for Progress

During his first one hundred days as Commander of the EC, Snelson observed the incredible commitment to excellence of the EC’s Airmen and their global impact. Supporting operations in twenty-four countries across six continents underscores the critical role the EC plays in ensuring readiness in an era of great power competition.

“I have been struck by the pride, resilience, and operational excellence demonstrated by our Airmen and their families,” Snelson noted. “I am also blown away by the operational tempo and the insatiable demand for our Contingency Response and Air Mobility Operations Wing (AMOW) forces across the planet.”

Snelson witnessed that the EC is incredibly high-performing and ready to “fight tonight,” but he has also identified opportunities to better align forces, people, and resources to ensure they maintain their edge.

“By enhancing communication, fostering trust at every level, and emphasizing innovation, we are equipping our Airmen to think critically, take appropriate levels of risk, and succeed in complex, dynamic environments,” Snelson shared. “These efforts ensure we remain ready not only to meet today’s demands but to anticipate and overcome tomorrow’s challenges.”

The commander hopes that those efforts also instill confidence in the joint and coalition partners, knowing that AMC and the EC’s Airmen will be ready to answer the call no matter when or where they are asked to go.

Under Snelson’s leadership, the EC has embraced its 2025 strategy, focusing on organizing forces for great power competition, enhancing resiliency, and strengthening warfighting capabilities. By fostering collaboration and trust across the organization, Snelson is equipping Airmen with the tools and confidence needed to adapt to complex and dynamic operational environments.

Empowered Airmen

One of Snelson’s key strategies is empowering Airmen at every level to take initiative, make quick decisions, and adapt to their operational environment.

“We cannot drive progress from a headquarters building, so you have to trust and empower our Airmen,” Snelson explained.

The EC recognizes that the battlefield of tomorrow will demand disaggregated operations, with Airmen working in smaller, agile teams across vast areas of operation. Snelson believes in equipping leaders and teams with the resources and the authority they need to make confident, high-stakes decisions. “We must empower our Airmen to innovate and adapt without waiting for permission,” he said. “It’s about taking calculated risks and giving our leaders the tools and authorities to reduce those risks.” He encourages commanders to then circle back with him and the EC’s Higher Headquarters process owners to identify any gaps that were revealed in guidance or resources.

A recent example of this mindset in action is the EC’s Air Mobility Advisory Group innovating with Belize Defense Forces to conduct reconnaissance with MX-15 and basic airdrop to replenish supplies to border forces near Guatemala. Such efforts highlight the potential of empowered Airmen to redefine operational success.

Sharpening the Sword Through Training

The EC’s 2025 strategy places a premium on dynamic training that prepares Airmen for the complexities of modern warfare. These programs not only focus on technical specialization but also cultivate adaptability, leadership, and teamwork across multifunctional teams.

This “light, lean, lethal” approach is designed to prepare Airmen for environments with limited resources, hybrid operational roles, and ever-changing environments. For example, the 821st Contingency Response Squadron, a unit at Travis Air Force Base, CA, recently conducted a two-day Hub & Spoke operation to enhance their agility and readiness. Similarly, the 521st Contingency Response Element, based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ, demonstrated their ability to rapidly deploy and support missions through dynamic tasking of combat support elements. Such training is transforming Airmen into agile problem solvers capable of stepping into leadership or assistive roles as mission demands shift.

Technological innovation is also at the heart of the training evolution. The EC incorporates augmented reality tools, such as HoloLens, to provide immersive simulations that connect field operators with subject matter experts. “This capability could reduce the need for additional personnel on site and streamline operations,” Snelson noted.

Exercises as Foundations of Readiness

To remain at the forefront of combat readiness, the EC actively participates in high-pressure exercises, such as AGILE FLAG, STORM FLAG, and Turbo Distribution. These exercises simulate high-end, multidomain combat scenarios, allowing Airmen to test and refine their skills in environments that mirror the complexities of real-world operations.

Flagship exercises are not only critical to individual readiness but also bring joint and coalition partners together, building interoperability and trust. Snelson emphasized the importance of these collaborative efforts. “Working with our allies strengthens our collective agility and ensures we are prepared for strategic competitors and global threats,” he explained.

Looking ahead to Mobility Guardian 2025, Snelson expressed excitement for the opportunity to showcase recent advancements. “This [exercise] will be a chance to demonstrate all that we’ve learned and developed as a force over the past few years,” he stated.

A Culture of Resilience

Recognizing that operational readiness begins with resilient Airmen and families, the EC’s “Forging Warrior Hearts” initiative plays a central role in the 2025 strategy. This initiative emphasizes holistic well-being, ensuring that Airmen and their families are equipped to handle the challenges of a fast-paced operational tempo.

Snelson has made advocating for resources that support military families a top priority, often including site visits to support agencies such as Child Development Centers and Military and Family Readiness Centers. “Our Airmen can’t focus on their training or mission ahead if they’re worried about their families being cared for,” he explained. “I know there are limits to what I can do to fix problems in that area, but I can at least advocate on their behalf. The great part is our Air Force senior leaders get it and are listening.”

Redefining the Future of Expeditionary Operations

Under Snelson’s leadership, the EC is not only refining how it operates but is also defining what success looks like in a new era of global competition. With initiatives that empower Airmen, enhance training, foster resilience, and drive innovation, the EC is setting the standard for integrated, adaptable combat support.

When discussing how the EC is posturing for the future, Snelson summed it up: “These efforts ensure that we remain ready not only to meet today’s demands but to anticipate and overcome tomorrow’s challenges. Our adversaries should take note.”

With a forward-leaning strategy and emphasis on empowering its people, the EC is ready for the next chapter in its storied history.