606 ACS demonstrates rapid deployment C2 capabilities during Exercise PRIMO Specto 26-3
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- The 606th Air Control Squadron demonstrated its ability to rapidly deploy tactical command and control capabilities to multiple dispersed locations in simulated contested environments during Exercise PRIMO Specto 26-3 at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 2-7, 2026.
PRIMO Specto allows 606th ACS battle managers to evaluate their ability to effectively command and control live and simulated aircraft in an airspace while executing Air Base Air Defense, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, and Defensive and Offensive Counterair mission sets.
These tactical C2 capabilities and mission sets defend the base against a multitude of threats, ensuring it is prepared to protect critical assets, maintain operations and project airpower as the mission requires.
This exercise also marked the squadron’s third PRIMO Specto iteration of the fiscal year and its largest movement of personnel and equipment since 2022.
“Usually when executing PRIMO Specto, we send all our assets to one location. This time, we had four operating locations and a larger movement of equipment and personnel,” said 1st Lt. Hannah Greene, 606th ACS radar shop officer in charge.
After a week of preplanning and logistics, the 606th ACS deployed four different weapon systems and sensors including radars, radios, battle management C2 kits and a new capability designed to enable communication across multiple domains: the upper, peer and subordinate command and control levels. This equipment, along with a large number of Airmen, were located at one simulated deployed location off-base and two separate on-base locations in addition to the squadron’s main compound.
“This PRIMO Specto iteration required a lot of planning among the squadron’s career fields to develop the layout and requirements for each operating location,” said Staff Sgt. Wyatt Walters, 606th ACS mission support vehicle maintenance. “For the logistics portion, we had to plan out where equipment would go at different sites, who was going where and how they were getting there. We even coordinated with local Italian Police for an escort to our deployed location.”
According to Walters, a Carabinieri escort was particularly helpful as they assisted with leading and tailing the convoy, navigating local roads for the easiest routes, controlling traffic and guiding convoy pacing. Despite the increased scale of the exercise, Airmen quickly established the deployed radar site, maintained oversight of the radar picture and effectively communicated the airspace picture to the three other dispersed operating locations to accomplish their mission.
“We operated at a very high level with the limited time we had to prepare, and we executed smoothly,” said Walters. “Even when we encountered setbacks, the team overcame them swiftly.”
By developing alternate plans and identifying potential requirements ahead of time, the squadron was able to adapt when conditions did not unfold as expected. PRIMO Specto also strengthened relationships among the squadron’s four directorates by requiring personnel to work more closely than they typically would during routine in-garrison operations.
“It was really cool to see, even at the start of the planning week, how all four directorates worked together more than I've ever seen before,” said Greene. “It was nice to see those relationships strengthen and see how effectively everyone operated together.”
The 606th ACS plans to use lessons learned from PRIMO Specto to continue refining Airmen's skills, address areas for improvement and further evaluate its tactical C2 capabilities in future exercises and operations.
“I could see our squadron continuing or even expanding past the four dispersed operating locations, especially since our commander, Col. Chapman, is really invested in the development of our Airmen and officers,” said Greene.
As the 606th ACS continues conducting Primo Specto exercises each quarter, their objective remains consistent: develop Airmen who can rapidly establish tactical C2 capabilities, work across Air Force Specialty Codes and adapt to the demands of operating from dispersed and contested locations as mission-ready Airmen.
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