Air Combat Command News

CBRNE Training Bolsters Readiness at Davis-Monthan during Mosaic Lightning 26-2

Airman 1st Class Rachael Wright — Tue, 19 May 2026 22:06:00 GMT

U.S. Airmen across Davis-Monthan Air Force Base installation enhanced mission readiness through Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) response training during some of the most complex contingency scenarios featured in exercise Mosaic Lightning 26-2, May 7-15, 2026.

T-38 Talon operational pause

Pentagon News — Tue, 19 May 2026 19:02:00 GMT

The Air Force is implementing a fleet-wide operational pause for all T-38 Talon aircraft, ensuring the continued safety of Air Force personnel and equipment during an ongoing investigation.

The unseen mission: 388th OSS is the ultimate wingman

Pentagon News — Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – F-35A Lightning II Fighter jets from the 388th Fighter Wing are a

Owning the Cyber Battlespace: 16th Air Force Bolsters Allied Cyber Defense in Poland

Rabia Coombs — Mon, 18 May 2026 20:07:00 GMT

As cyber warfare increasingly shapes the 21st-century battlefield, 16th Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to allied security and proactive defense during the Impact’26 strategic forum and subsequent bilateral engagements, May 13-14.

DAF Expands Motorcycle Safety with Rider Mentor Program

AFSEC Public Affairs — Sat, 16 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Rider Mentor Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to be integrated directly into official safety curriculums, and the program brings together newer or less experienced riders with seasoned motorcyclists to help them refine their thought processes about motorcycling and enhance their riding skills in real-world environments.

DAF updates religious accommodation process, eliminates Religious Resolution Teams

Pentagon News — Fri, 15 May 2026 18:48:00 GMT

The DAF has updated DAFI 52-201, modifying the religious accommodation process for Airmen and Guardians.

Never Forgotten: ID tags of MIA aviator returned to family after 56 years

Tech. Sgt. Megan Beatty — Fri, 15 May 2026 18:24:00 GMT

Hidden for decades beneath the soil of a Cambodian knoll, a small, weathered metal disc silently held the weight of half a century of grief, love and unanswered questions. For 56 years, the word “missing” hung heavy and undefined in the lives of the Huberth family. It was a void left by a son and brother. May 13, 2026, exactly 56 years to the day since his aircraft vanished during a combat mission, a tangible piece of U.S. Air Force Capt. Eric “Rick” Huberth finally came home.

Air Combat Command declares FOC for the HC-130J Combat King II

Briel Kodish — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:18:00 GMT

Gen. Adrian Spain, Commander of Air Combat Command, declared the HC-130J Combat King II has reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) in a memorandum signed in April.

Point Defense Battle Lab holds red air Small UAS competition

Staff Sgt. Jovan Banks — Fri, 15 May 2026 13:45:00 GMT

The Point Defense Battle Lab held a ‘red air’ Small Unmanned Aerial System pilot competition to train airmen assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing as aggressor sUAS pilots April 25, 2026, here.

New F-22A Raptor hangar marks construction milestone at JBLE

By Shannon Carabajal — Fri, 15 May 2026 13:00:00 GMT

A push to modernize infrastructure for the F-22 Raptor reached a milestone last month with the formal handover of a new 76,445-square-foot hangar at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

Reaper Smoke 2026 draws dozens of total and joint force RPA crews in skills competition

Staff Sgt. Ariel O'Shea — Thu, 14 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Approximately 200 active component, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps members participated in Exercise Reaper Smoke 2026 here, April 14-16, 2026.

ACC hosts TASR to strengthen warfighter readiness

Staff Sgt. Madeline Herzog — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:42:27 GMT

Air Combat Command (ACC) recently hosted a Technology, Acquisition, and Sustainment Review (TASR) in coordination with Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (SAF/AQ) here. In support of Secretary of the Air Force Meink’s goal to improve the acquisitions process and aid readiness across the Department of the Air Force, the event brought together operational and acquisition senior leaders to assess enterprise capabilities and strengthen readiness across the force. The briefings were specifically aimed at driving action items to solve real world problems and remove roadblocks for warfighters.

Dragons in the Dirt: 357th Fighter Squadron Unleashes Expeditionary A-10 Lethality

1st Lt. Grace Banas — Wed, 13 May 2026 21:00:00 GMT

From the high-desert heat of Twentynine Palms to the maritime environment of San Clemente Island, the “Dragons” of the 357th Fighter Squadron recently pushed the A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft to its limits during a high-intensity, two-week temporary duty (TDY) assignment.

Checkered Flag 26-2 Concludes, Forges High-End Readiness and Joint Interoperability

Airman 1st Class Rosario Garcia — Wed, 13 May 2026 20:34:00 GMT

The 325th Fighter Wing hosted Checkered Flag in coordination with the 53rd Wing’s Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP East). The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group at Tyndall formally evaluates live-fire capabilities, providing aircrews a rare opportunity to launch live missiles at realistic, maneuvering targets while maintainers practice loading live munitions.

CBRN sUAS exercise kicks off Mosaic Lightning 26-2

Airman 1st Class Jaden Kidd — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:15:00 GMT

355th Wing Drone Innovation Cell Airmen conducted a small unmanned aircraft system exercise that simulated a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attack on a military installation during Mosaic Lightning 26-2 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, May 8, 2026.

US Air Force reassigns combat training units to enhance readiness

Pentagon News — Mon, 11 May 2026 18:54:00 GMT

Air Force FTUs specialize in developing operational proficiency for aircrew members assigned to advanced weapon systems. These units provide system and mission-specific training, ensuring a seamless transition from foundational skills to combat-readiness.

ACC Civic Leaders Immerse in Emerald Coast Airpower

Deb Henley — Mon, 11 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Recently, civic leaders from across the nation gathered at Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base for the Air Combat Command Commander’s Group Spring Conference, immersing themselves in the unique command mission sets of Florida’s Emerald Coast.

55th Fighter Squadron Pilots Earn Distinguished Flying Cross

Senior Airman Nyanda Walker-Potts — Mon, 11 May 2026 12:51:00 GMT

ACC commander awards six Airmen with one of the nation’s highest military honors for extraordinary heroism during Operation Midnight Hammer

Three Davis-Monthan units recognized for unprecedented rescue efforts during final withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Kahdija Slaughter — Sun, 10 May 2026 12:43:00 GMT

After distinguishing themselves during a deployment to Afghanistan that included the final withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country in 2021, two units, the 55th and 48th Rescue Squadrons, received the Presidential Unit Citation award at a ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 17, 2026.

Former 325th FW commander returns to Tyndall amid continued modernization

Senior Airman Victoria Moehlman — Fri, 08 May 2026 15:31:00 GMT

Laidlaw’s visit bridged Tyndall’s recovery from hurricane devastation to its ongoing rebuild as a more resilient, combat-ready installation.