Air Force Academy's 'CULEX' Trains Thousands of Cadets in Intense 24-Hour Combat Simulation

The annual exercise immerses cadets in a simulated wartime environment to build leadership and problem-solving skills.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:48am

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A vibrant, abstract painting depicting the chaotic motion of Air Force cadets in tactical gear rushing through a simulated warzone, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of camouflage colors conveying the high-intensity training experience.The USAFA's intense CULEX exercise immerses cadets in a simulated combat scenario, building critical leadership and problem-solving skills for future military service.Colorado Springs Today

The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) recently conducted its extensive annual training exercise known as 'CULEX', providing around 4,000 cadets with an immersive 24-hour combat scenario experience. The exercise transforms the USAFA grounds into a simulated wartime environment, with upperclassmen leading missions and underclassmen executing orders across four joint operating areas defending airfields, assets, and downed airmen against a 'Red Force' of fellow cadets.

Why it matters

The CULEX exercise is designed to prepare future Space Force and Air Force officers for the complex challenges they may face, building critical skills like decision-making, teamwork, and leadership in a realistic training environment.

The details

During the exercise, the USAFA campus is divided into four joint operating areas, each with around 800 cadets defending airfields, high-value assets, and downed airmen. Cadets face real-world issues like injured officers and enemy 'Red Force' attacks, requiring them to prioritize and make decisions under pressure. The exercise features a range of activities including flying aircraft, deploying parachutes, using drones and mapping technology, and engaging in airsoft gun battles.

  • The CULEX exercise took place from April 15 to 16, 2026.
  • This was the second year the 24-hour exercise has been conducted.

The players

Col. Jennifer Hall

Director of the CULEX exercise at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

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What they’re saying

“We've essentially occupied the entire grounds of the USAFA to ensure all 4,000 cadets have the necessary space to effectively participate in the exercise.”

— Col. Jennifer Hall, Director of CULEX

“What we're trying to do is have the cadets prioritize through decision-making. And you'll see all across that Red Force is trying to complicate that to the best of their ability.”

— Col. Jennifer Hall, Director of CULEX

“The only way to prepare for the fight that we're in, or the future fight, is to develop the training necessary where they can experience it real time, in the woods, in the field.”

— Col. Jennifer Hall, Director of CULEX

“For our seniors, in 44 days, they're going to graduate, and they're going to go off, and they're going to be officers in our Space Force and Air Force— how much more equipped they're going to be to lead, to face complicated problems, to know that they can do what's difficult.”

— Col. Jennifer Hall, Director of CULEX

The takeaway

The CULEX exercise provides Air Force Academy cadets with invaluable real-world training to develop the leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills they will need as future Space Force and Air Force officers, preparing them for the complex challenges they may face in service.