Friday, December 19, 2025 l Vol. 50, Number 51
SERVING TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE AND THE MILITARY COMMUNITY OF SOLANO COUNTY
EXERCISE STEEL KNIGHT Page 3
EXERCISE BMTW 26-01 Page 4
419TH FLIGHT TEST SQUADRON Page 7
TAILWIND
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Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley/U.S. Air Force file
An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 40th Flight Test Squadron flies over the Gulf of Mexico, Nov. 25. F-16s assigned to the 40th Flight Test Squadron test new hardware
and software systems to modernize the entire Air Force aircraft fleet, including testing weapons that will be used on fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft.
NAVAIR releases V-22 comprehensive review findings Naval Air Systems Command Public Affairs
Senior Airman Robert Nichols/U.S. Air Force file photos
A child admires lights during a Christmas tree lighting event at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 10. The tree served as
the centerpiece of the base’s holiday celebration, bringing airmen and families together to welcome the season.
Christmas tree lighting at Travis
Airmen and family members gather at a Christmas tree lighting event at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 10.
Airmen serve hot cocoa to family members at a Christmas tree lighting event at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 10.
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PAXUTENT RIVER, Md. — Naval Air Systems Command released the findings of a comprehensive review, Dec. 12, on the V-22 Osprey aircraft flown by the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. The review reaffirmed the airworthiness of the V-22 platform under established controls allowing the continued safe operations of this critical joint capability. NAVAIR ordered the in-depth review in September 2023 to assess V-22 performance and identify actionable plans to improve platform safety and readiness. The Department of the Navy and services are actively implementing the review’s 32 distinct recommendations to enhance the safety and readiness of the V-22 platform. “In coordination with V-22 service leaders, NAVAIR has developed action plans to mitigate safety deficiencies,” said NAVAIR Commander Navy Vice Adm. John E. Dougherty. “We are continuously evaluating procedural compliance to prevent mishaps as well as strengthening airworthiness controls to establish clear risk thresholds.” In accordance with recommendations in the comprehensive review, NAVAIR is holding regular progress reviews to improve cross-service coordination and increase stakeholder engagement to ensure corrective actions are executed in an efficient manner. “Through ongoing analysis and targeted action, we remain committed to improving the V-22’s performance and safeguarding the warfighters who rely on this platform,” said Doughtery. While the conclusions and recommendations of this review were developed specifically for the V-22 program, the findings will be shared broadly within the military aviation community to convey best practices and lessons learned. NAVAIR remains committed to transparency and safety regarding all V-22 operations. The V-22 plays an integral role in supporting U.S. military operations, and ensuring the airworthiness of these vital assets is critical to supporting U.S. national security interests. NAVAIR continuously monitors data and trends from all aircraft platforms to ensure warfighters are provided the safest, most reliable aircraft possible.
2 Friday, December 19, 2025 — TRAVIS TAILWIND
TRAVIS/AIR FORCE/MILITARY
Scarlet Dragon tests artificial intelligence for warfighters Army Maj. Matthew St. Clair XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS PUBLIC AFFAIRS
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — On a cold December day, deep in a training area on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, soldiers, airmen, Marines and civilian industry partners came together to test the latest drone and counter-small unmanned aircraft systems technology, while rapidly sharing targeting data through the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s Maven Smart System. Scarlet Dragon is the XVIII Airborne Corps’ premier innovation exercise, where new ideas and technologies are tested to solve current issues on the battlefield. “We’re focused on bringing new technologies and approaches to solve operational capability gaps and requirements that we identify from operational plans around the globe,” said Rob Braun, XVIII Airborne Corps chief technical officer. The Scarlet Dragon exercise series started in 2020 as a tabletop exercise in the basement of the XVIII Airborne Corps’ headquarters and has evolved into a triannual innovation event where joint services, government agencies and industry partners come together to test and integrate the latest technology for the modern warfighter. During this iteration, known as Scarlet Dragon 26-1, the XVIII Airborne Corps tested several initiatives. The 18th Field Artillery Brigade trained with the Air Force to rapidly load and deploy an M142 high mobility artillery rocket system from a C-17 Globemaster III, all while simultaneously receiving targeting data through NGA’s Maven Smart System. The streamlined data sharing allows the HIMARS unit to rapidly deploy anywhere in the world and quickly set up for offensive or defensive engagements. “We’re doing cold-load
training with a C-130, putting the HIMARS on the aircraft, driving it off, executing a rapidfire mission and getting back on quickly,” said Army 2nd Lt. Ryan Mitchell, a HIMARS platoon leader assigned to the 18th Field Artillery Brigade. “Through Scarlet Dragon, we are doing advanced targeting with data received through Maven, rapidly getting that information to the launcher so we can deploy and shoot faster.” Another initiative included real time data sharing and tracking between AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 82nd Airborne Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade, drones and small UAS with the XVIII Airborne Corps Air and Missile Defense team, Sentinel radars from the 82nd Airborne Division and newly fielded Sgt Stout short range air defense systems from the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. The Sentinel radars and Sgt Stout’s tracked Apaches and drones, pushing data to the corps headquarters to validate faster early warning systems for troops on the ground. Apache pilots tested their ability to identify and track small drones, while the Sgt Stout teams validated their tracking and targeting capabilities. The integration of the Sgt Stout into the maneuver force is a critical step in providing protection against short-range air threats. “What I like about Scarlet Dragon is how I push, not just the soldiers, but also the equipment that we have to our limits and to see what we are capable of and how we can improve our system capabilities,” said Army Spc. Daniel Rosas, XVIII Airborne Corps Air Defense Battle Management System operator. “With the way the world is currently moving, especially when it comes to UAS or drones, it is a big threat, and it helps for us to push forward on what we See Dragon, Page 3
Army Sgt. PS Bailey Whilden/XVIII Airborne Corps file
An experimental autonomous mothership unmanned aerial system releases subordinate drones during Exercise Scarlet Dragon 26-1 at Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 9. The demonstration supports the exercise’s focus on integrating emerging technologies to enhance situational awareness and enable distributed sensing across the battlefield.
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the BOTGW, the band toured Southern California with the Latvian National Guard Orchestra to promote unity with a NATO ally and celebrate Latvian Independence Day.
Airmen assigned to the Band of the Golden West perform in Glendale, Nov. 21.
Members of the Latvian-American community sing together after a performance by the Band of the Golden West and the Latvian National Guard Orchestra at the Latvian Community Center in Pasadena, Nov. 22. For over 100 years, the U.S. and Latvia, a NATO ally, have worked together to expand trade, increase energy cooperation and strengthen regional stability.
BOTGW perform with Latvian National Guard Orchestra
Pathfinders drive TOC-L innovation Morgan Brown
DAF PEO C3BM PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Morgan Brown/U.S. Air Force file
Airmen with the 752nd Operations Support Squadron finish setup of the Tactical Operations Center–Light kit during an exercise. The 752 OSS, Air Combat Command’s designated pathfinder unit for TOC-L, conducts real-world experimentation in major exercises like Red Flag, Bamboo Eagle, and Project Convergence. These efforts refine operation requirements, inform acquisition, and shape development of prototypes. agement Division. That feedback directly influences the architecture of the DAF Battle Network, ensuring new capabilities
are informed by operational needs. To ensure these emerging capabilities are absorbed across the
force, the Air Force is leveraging multiple training approaches alongside rapid prototyping. These See TOC-L, Page 3
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TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. — Pathfinder units are playing a crucial role in the Air Force’s modernization of command and control, with the 752nd Operations Support Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base guiding the effort for the Tactical Operations Center-Light. As Air Combat Command’s designated pathfinder unit for TOC-L, the 752nd OSS conducts real-world experimentation in major exercises like Red Flag, Bamboo Eagle and Project Convergence. These efforts refine operation requirements, inform acquisition, and shape development of prototypes. “The 752 OSS bridges operational need with acquisition reality by generating data, tactics, and user feedback under realistic conditions, serving as the connective tissue between innovators, testers, and operators for ground C2 modernization,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Daniel, 752 OSS director of operations. The TOC-L is an agile, survivable, and networked successor to the legacy control and reporting center. It is designed to enhance the long-range kill chain by distributing command and control across contested environments. There are more than 15 TOC-L major release 1 prototypes in circulation across the force, with the 752 OSS evaluating the kit’s performance, refining tactics, and identifying integration issues. The current “learnby-doing” approach provides real-time feedback to developers and the Department of the Air Force’s Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communication and Battle Management, which manages the TOC-L through its Advanced Battle Man-
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Senior Airman Robert Nichols/U.S. Air Force file photos
Airmen assigned to the Band of the Golden West perform with the Latvian National Guard Orchestra in Glendale, Nov. 21. Performing as the Travis Brass, an ensemble of
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TRAVIS TAILWIND — Friday, December 19, 2025 3
Travis AFB airmen receive 2024 AMC flight instructor award Gary Edwards
60TH AIR MOBILITY WING
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE — Two airmen assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing were awarded the 2024 Air Mobility Command Flight Instructor of the Year, recognizing their exceptional performance among instructors across AMC. Tech. Sgt. Sam Houck, 22nd Airlift Squadron flight engineering training noncommissioned officer in charge, and Staff Sgt. Haydon Korob, 60th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician paramedic, earned the distinction for 2024 after a highly competitive selection process. This AMC award includes nine categories, and having two recipients at Travis highlights the commitment airmen demonstrate daily. One factor in his award package that sets him apart was that Houck qualified eight aviators and increased squadron manning by 24% while
reducing first flight engineer upgrade training timelines by 16% during a 600% surge in student enrollment. “I’m honored to have even been nominated for this award,” said Houck. “To get an award like this, it’s hours and hours of preparation before every flight, learning about students and how they learn and operate, their strengths and weaknesses and putting in the effort to make the next generation of aviators better than the last.” Houck said he began his Air Force career as a C-130J Hercules crew chief and became interested in flight engineering after watching a supervisor cross-train. “When I heard about this job, I thought, ‘that sounds incredible. I want to fly,’” said Houck. “I chose the C-5M Super Galaxy, and it took me two years to get fully qualified. That was five years ago. It’s hard training, but it’s
Senior Airman Robert Nichols/U.S. Air Force file photos
A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 345th Bomb Squadron flies next to a KC-46A Pegasus after aerial refueling during Exercise Steel Knight off the California coast, Dec. 11. The B-1 is a long-range, supersonic bomber built
for high-speed, low-level missions and heavy conventional payloads. Exercise Steel Knight is a joint exercise that strengthens interoperability, refines combat readiness and enhances coordination across the battle space.
Maj. Ryan Flavell, 79th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, performs an aircraft walk-around of a KC-46A Pegasus during Exercise Steel Knight at Travis AFB, Dec. 11.
Capt. Brian McGlynn, 79th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, flies a KC-46A Pegasus during Exercise Steel Knight over Northern California, Dec. 11.
Travis AFB participates in Exercise Steel Knight
See Award, Page 4
Dragon From Page 2
Morgan Brown/U.S. Air Force file
752nd Operations Support Squadron airmen pose for a photograph following Project Convergence Capstone 5 at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, March 11. PC-C5 provided a controlled environment for rapid fielding and data collection on the Tactical Operations Center–Light’s performance under varying pressure.
From Page 2
The future of Scarlet Dragon With every iteration of Scarlet Dragon, the integration process is refined, and the technology improves. In the future, the Scarlet Dragon exercise series will be tied in with Fort Bragg and XVIII Airborne Corps’ new Lt. Gen. James M. Gavin Joint Innovation Outpost, which will officially open Jan. 23, 2026. “During Scarlet
An AH-64 Apache helicopter provides aerial overwatch during Exercise Scarlet Dragon 26-1 at Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 9. The exercise tests how aviation platforms integrate with ground-based air defense systems to create a shared air picture and accelerate decision-making against modern aerial threats. Dragon 26-1, the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg held a soft opening for our new Joint Innovation Outpost, or JIOP,” said Army Lt. Gen. Greg Anderson, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps. “With the JIOP and our Scarlet Dragon series of exercises, we will be able to develop and test soldierdriven, rapid innovation
and technical transformation while providing the Army a model to revolutionize the acquisition process. It is making us more lethal at the tactical and operational levels of war.” The JIOP will allow soldiers to bring innovative solutions to the facility to work with civilian industry and academic partners to refine and
produce new technology that can then be tested in Scarlet Dragon exercises and eventually shared across the joint force. In 2026, Scarlet Dragon will shift to the Indo-Pacific theater and U.S. Army Japan for its annual combined Yama Sakura exercise with the Japan Ground SelfDefense Force.
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include “train-whilewe-learn” practices that capture lessons immediately after exercises; digital twin technology for scalable, hardware-independent simulation; and joint exercise integration to test interoperability across services. “Innovation doctrine encourages ‘edge-driven’ experimentation, but institutional processes must also adapt to translate those experiments into sustainable training artifacts and exercises,” Daniel said. “Without deliberate mitigation, the result is a two-speed force where pathfinders advance rapidly while the broader enterprise trails in readiness.” By embedding operators into experimentation events, the 752nd OSS acts as a conduit between warfighters and program managers. The unit generates critical data on C2 workflows, waveform integration, and missionthread validation that helps synchronize innovation efforts across the DAF and joint partners. The 752nd OSS also plays a key role in assessing interoperability and doctrinal alignment by embedding TOC-L kits in multi-service and coali-
Army Sgt. PS Bailey Whilden/XVIII Airborne Corps file
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tion exercises. These joint events ensure that capabilities are not only technically sound, but operationally relevant. “This method helps the joint force adopt lessons from rapid prototyping, reducing the risk of doctrinal lag as technology evolves,” Daniel said. As the DAF Battle Network continues to expand, the Pathfinder mission ensures that C2 solutions are shaped by real-world conditions, operator input, and joint mission demands, accelerating the transition from concept to capability.
can adapt when it comes to gauging and tracking these threats.” Scarlet Dragon gives service members and industry partners the opportunity to test new ideas and innovations in an open and minimumrisk environment. “That’s what I really like about Scarlet Dragon,” said Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Sean Benson, XVIII Airborne Corps senior geo-intelligence imagery technician. “It’s not an exercise with defined timelines or deliverables. It’s whatever we want to try to get to the outcome we need. If you have an idea and it sticks when you throw it on the wall, we’ll give it a shot.”
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4 Friday, December 19, 2025 — TRAVIS TAILWIND
Award From Page 3
Staff Sgt. Solomon Cook/U.S. Air Force file photos
Airmen prepare to do a combat offload training scenario during Battalion Mass Tactical Week 26-01 at Pope Army Airfield, N.C., Dec. 3. Combat offloads are a U.S. military
airlift technique for rapidly delivering cargo pallets from aircraft into austere or combat zones where standard loading equipment is not available.
Exercise BMTW 26-01 helps maintain Joint Forces function Staff Sgt. Solomon Cook
43RD AIR MOBILITY OPERATIONS GROUP
POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, N.C. — Battalion Mass Tactical Week (BMTW) 26-01 occurred at Pope Army Airfield, Dec. 1-5. During the exercise, Air Force members worked with Army counterparts to accomplish various trainings and certifications to ensure their readiness and bolster warfighters’ lethality. BMTWs are a brand of mobility exercise led at the behest of Air Mobility Command (AMC) and are a mainstay at Pope. The events, usually accomplished quarterly, have a heavy focus of perfecting the interoperability between the Air Force units and Army forces from the 82nd Airborne Division. “BMTW is large-scale joint military exercise where U.S. Army and Air Force units train together to refine airborne operations, tactical airlift, and rapid global mobility,” said Maj. Michael Totty, 49th Combat Training Squadron assistant director of operations and BMTW exercise director. “For the Air Force more broadly, these exercises reinforce its role as the nation’s global force provider, capable of not only reaching across continents, but also working hand-in-hand with joint and coalition partners.” “In short, BMTWs are more than training; they are proofs of concept that the Air Force can deliver Joint force effects, anywhere and anytime, with precision and speed,” he summarized. During this iteration of BMTW, members of
An airman from the 15th Airlift Squadron inspects cargo bundles in an aircraft during Battalion Mass Tactical Week (BMTW) 26-01 at Pope Army Airfield, N.C., Dec. 2. BMTW showcases how airlift and aeromedical evacuation assets integrate with ground forces to project power, sustain operations and save lives in contested environments. Team Pope stood up Task Force Gryphon – an AMC operational element, primarily led by the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group (AMOG). This element is a unique, multi-functional Air Force unit that provides rapid global mobility, logistical support, and force projection for the 82nd ABN and XVIII Airborne Corps based at Fort Bragg. Task Force Gryphon is a mechanism that is usually reserved for largescale global events where a centralized hub for disseminating information and deployment of military assets is paramount for the success of the mission. This was demonstrated in support of Isreal after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks where Task Force Gryphon deployed the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in response to the Israel-Hamas crisis by launching 78 aircraft, processing 900 joint forces and loading 6 million
pounds of cargo. The ability to conduct massive feats in a little to no-notice fashion requires repetition and perpetual readiness. Events like BMTW aid in the validation of processes and partnerships and solidify interoperability between airlift crews, ground forces and command elements to ensure the IRF projects seamless support of national objective. In addition to codifying the capability of making an impact on a worldwide scale, BMTW also dials into a granular and operational levels of core readiness competencies. Pope and the 43rd AMOG afford visiting units such as the 344th Air Refueling Squadron (ARS) from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., and the 41st Airlift Squadron (AS) from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., a training area to certify teams of airmen on the Air Force Force Generation (AFFORGEN) cycle for
deployment requirements. The 49th CTS works with these units to ensure the framework of the exercise meets the specific training needs for various aircrew and airframes. “Receiving these certifications is critical because it formally validates a unit’s readiness to enter the [AFFORGEN] cycle and provide combat-credible capabilities to the Joint Force,” Lewczyk emphasized. “For the 344th ARS and the 41st AS, these certifications demonstrate that aircrews, maintainers, and support personnel can execute their mission sets under realistic, demanding conditions. In essence, certification is the Air Force’s assurance that these units are fully prepared to deploy, sustain operations, and deliver the necessary effects in combat.” Although smaller in scale, BMTWs lead into larger exercises of the See BMTW, Page 7
very rewarding.” After several years as a qualified engineer, Houck said the squadron gave him the opportunity to instruct. “I went to instructor school, and it’s an exceptionally rewarding job, being able to watch students qualify as a flight engineer on the C-5M,” he said. “There are many skills and talents you need to be an aviator, but to be calm, cool and collected is what I try to instill.” According to Houck hard work and dedication are the cornerstone of any achievement throughout an airman’s career. “You get out what you put in,” said Houck. “To excel in this career field, you have to be dedicated and stay in the books, think methodically, communicate effectively and use good judgment. However, it’s not a task you need to undertake alone; it’s a crewed aircraft. So, you’re never alone.” Korob, also an award recipient, was requested by the Aerospace Medical Technician functional area manager to augment the Air Force Medical Service’s first Defense Health Agency Tier 3 Train-the-Trainer course. He led five trainers in certifying 31 personnel from 20 military treatment facilities and seven major commands, impacting the Air Force Medical Service’s strategic mission. “When I was told I won this award, I was shocked because of the timeline,” said Korob. “I was already halfway through my deployment with CENTCOM, and it was definitely a surprise.”
Korob explained his drive to pursue medicine began with his father. “My father actually drove me into medicine,” said Korob. “He worked as a paramedic at the fire department, and I always knew I wanted to be like my dad when I grew up. No one in my family was ever in the military, but I knew the Air Force would give me a lot of opportunities. I thought, ‘well, I can be like my dad and have that aspect’, and then I got into emergency medicine, and that really lit the spark.” Korob stated he chose to become an instructor after encountering individuals in his past who did not take their teaching roles seriously. “When I was a student, I encountered an instructor who was not a subject matter expert and didn’t take their job seriously,” he said. “I knew that when I had the opportunity to become an instructor myself, I’d want to produce a culture that instilled passion for patient care and movement.” For airmen entering the career field, Korob encouraged them to be proactive and persistent. “Do as much research as you can into opportunities to grow and be persistent, “said Korob. “Don’t give up at the first obstacle. There are always growth opportunities.” The AMC Flight Instructor of the Year Award recognizes one individual in one of nine categories: pilot, navigator, flight engineer, loadmaster, communications systems operator, flight attendant, boom operator, flight nurse and aeromedical evacuation technician. The award was submitted in April 2024 and announced in September 2025.
Gary Edwards/U.S. Air Force file
Tech. Sgt. Sam Houck, left, 22nd Airlift Squadron flight engineering training noncommissioned officer in charge, and Staff Sgt. Haydon Korob, 60th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aeromedical evacuation technician paramedic, pose for a photograph in front of a C-5M Super Galaxy at Travis Air Force Base, Dec. 8. Both airmen earned the 2024 Air Mobility Command Flight Instructor of the Year Award in their respective categories.
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TRAVIS TAILWIND — Friday, December 19, 2025 5
US holds 171st repatriation ceremony in Vietnam Air Force Lt. Col. George Tobias
DEFENSE POW/MIA ACCOUNTING AGENCY
GIA LAM AIRFIELD, Vietnam — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency received possible remains of a service member during a repatriation ceremony at the Gia Lam Airfield, Vietnam, Saturday. During the 171st repatriation ceremony held by the two countries, representatives from the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons handed over remains to the accounting agency thought to be associated with a U.S. Air Force F-105 crash site in Lao Cai Province. Kelly McKeague, DPAA director, and Le Cong Tien, VNOSMP director, presided over the event, which included dignitaries from the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and senior ministry officials from Vietnam. McKeague thanked the Vietnamese partners for their support. “Thank you to the government of Vietnam, whose leaders in the early
Courtesy photo
A Navy commander renders a salute during the 171st Repatriation Ceremony at Gia Lam Airfield, Hanoi, Vietnam,
Saturday. The remains were presented by the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons.
1980s exhibited a great deal of faith and compassion to assist the United States in searching for and recovering the remains of American soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who were missing in action,” McKeague said. He noted that this assistance began 10 years
Vietnam. These sustained efforts have been implemented for 40 years by the two governments.” Embassy officials also noted that “MIA cooperation is one of the long-standing pillars in the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship that seeks to settle the war
after the war and 10 years before the normalization of diplomatic relations. In a released statement on the ceremony, U.S. Embassy in Hanoi officials stated, “The joint humanitarian effort is committed to locating and identifying U.S. service members who went missing in the war in
legacies between the two countries.” The potential remains were recovered by one of the two Vietnamese unilateral recovery teams, part of the 161st Joint Field Activity, which started in late October and concluded at the beginning of December; the teams con-
tinued operations during the U.S. government’s lapse in appropriations. “When DPAA teams were unable to travel due to the government shutdown, two Vietnamese recovery teams operated for 45 days, each augmented by 60 local villagers. It was the team in Yen Bai Province that recovered the remains that will soon be repatriated,” McKeague said. McKeague ended his remarks by thanking Vice Minister [Phan Van] Giang, Deputy Minister [Hoang Xuan] Chien, and VNOSMP partners. The potential remains were examined Dec. 5 in Hanoi by U.S. and Vietnamese forensic specialists, and it was determined that they might belong to a U.S. service member. DPAA will transport the potential remains to the Daniel K. Inouye DPAA Center of Excellence in Honolulu for further analysis. To date, 1,067 U.S. service members missing in action have been identified from the Vietnam War.
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Christ Exalted, Lives Transformed 3777 Vaca Valley Pkwy Ste.F, Vacaville, 95688 Email: office@northhillsvv.org Website: www.northhillsvv.org
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(707) 455-7790 tfh.org Service Times Sunday: 8:15am, 10am & 11:45am Live Stream at tfhvacaville tfhvacaville tfhvacaville
Vacaville Church of Christ
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Rev. Dr. Phillip Pledger, Pastor Alexandra Poole, Principal
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Loving the Lord – Learning the Walk – Living the Life
Bible Class for all ages, Sundays: 10AM Sunday Worship: 11AM; Fellowship 12PM Live Stream: GoBethany.com
Bethany Lutheran Preschool Direct Line: 707-451-6678 Bethany TK thru 8th Direct Line: 707-451-6683 Look us up on the web: GoBethany.com
401 Fir St., Vacaville, CA 95688 (707) 448-5085 Minister: Elliott Williams
Bible-Based Expository Preaching Sunday Worship Services 9:00 & 10:45 a.m. Pastor Jon Kile 192 Bella Vista Road, Vacaville 707-451-2026 Sunday school for all ages is provided during both services. Visit our website for information on other ministries offered at
www.vacavillefaith.org
UNITED METHODIST “The People of The United Methodist Church™”
1011 Ulatis Drive, Vacaville, CA 95687 (707) 451-6675
Service Times: Sunday morning 10 a.m., Wednesday evening 6:30 p.m. Phone: 707-449-8977
LUTHERAN BETHANY LUTHERAN MINISTRIES Church and School
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Sunday Morning Bible Study ............9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship...............10:30 AM Sunday Evening Worship .................. 5:00 PM Wednesday Evening Bible Study.....6:00 PM
vacavillecofc.com If you would like to take a free Bible correspondence course contact: Know Your Bible Program, 401 Fir Street, Vacaville, CA 95688 (707) 448-5085
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“To know Him, and to make Him known” 490 Brown Street
Live stream at: itsallaboutfamilies.org
Vacaville, CA 95688
301 N. Orchard Ave., Vacaville 707.448.5848
707-446-8684
SUNDAY Classes for all ages ............10:00 am Worship..................................11:00 am CORE Bible Studies... 12:30 & 5:00 pm (2nd & 4th Sunday)
Worship Service (11:00 am)
Fellowship Lunch (12:30 pm)
WEDNESDAY
Adult Studies...........................2:00 pm
AWANA for Kids .....................6:15 pm Adult & Youth Studies............6:30 pm
Sundays: Sunday School (9:45 am)
Thursdays: Prayer Meeting (7:00 pm) Bible studies throughout the week. Pastor Ben Smith
www.vacavillebiblechurch.com office@vacavillebiblechurch.com
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AIR FORCE
BMTW From Page 4 same species of mobility exercises such as Storm Flag. The similar construct of these training opportunities lend to a crawl, walk, run approach for safeguarding the readiness of airmen. “By design, BMTWs replicate the tempo, scale, and joint integration that airmen will encounter in those higher end events, but in a controlled environment that allows units to refine their skills and validate readiness,” Totty said. “The training accomplished here, whether it’s AFFORGEN readiness checks, joint airdrop operations, or aeromedical evacuation drills, ensures that crews are not just qualified, but also technically proficient and confident in their ability to operate under pressure.” “The benefit of BMTW is that it bridges the gap between routine local training and larger exercises like Storm Flags,” he added. “It gives airmen the chance to stress-test processes, strengthen interoperability with Army and allied partners, and rehearse rapid deployment scenarios before stepping into Storm Flag’s larger and more demanding construct.” Fulfilling the more localized need for training at Pope, BMTW has an added benefit of not needing to fit into such stringent of a training design like Storm Flag or exercises similar in scope. Training injects can be introduced or removed in real-time while being observed by the 49th CTS and Inspector Generals.
This provides an added level of realism to scenarios where the needs of the mission may not adhere to traditional training situations. “The ability to ramp up or taper down the intensity of BMTW is what makes it such a powerful and realistic training environment,” Totty elaborated. “Mission demands in the real world are never static. Sometimes crews must execute under extreme pressure with compressed timelines, while other scenarios require deliberate, methodical coordination. By adjusting the exercise’s intensity, we mirror that operational reality, giving airmen the chance to experience both ends of the spectrum.” As member of Team Pope finished the training event, the finalizing of planning and execution of the next BMTW looms at the forefront of their minds. The reoccurring exercise package, unique to Pope, enters an assessing and standby posture until the next time. “For the airlift community, this exercise is more than practice; it’s a readiness accelerator. It ensures crews are not only technically proficient, but also mentally agile, capable of responding to the unpredictable demands of the global mobility mission,” Totty concluded. “By validating processes, strengthening interoperability, and sharpening decisionmaking in a realistic setting, BMTW directly enhances AMC’s ability to be responsive to the needs of its airlift crews; giving them the confidence, experience, and certification to deliver when the nation calls.”
Staff Sgt. Solomon Cook/U.S. Air Force file
A C-17 Globemaster III takes off during Battalion Mass Tactical Week 26-01 at Pope Army Airfield, N.C., Dec. 2.
James West/U.S. Air Force file
An aircrew from the 419th Flight Test Squadron lands a B-52 Stratofortress at Edwards Air Force Base following its ferry flight from Boeing’s San Antonio facility, Dec. 8.
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. — A B-52 Stratofortress has completed its ferry flight from the Boeing Company’s San Antonio facility to Edwards Air Force Base, following the installation of a new, modernized radar system as part of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the aircraft’s ongoing modernization efforts to ensure it remains a critical component of the United States Air Force’s conventional and nuclear long-range strike capabilities. A crew from the 49th Test Evaluation Squadron at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, and the 419th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, transferred the aircraft from Boeing’s facility, Dec 8. The test team will execute ground and flight test activities on the aircraft throughout 2026 to enable a production decision later in the year. The modern Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system replaces the aircraft’s antiquated and failing legacy radar, providing an upgraded allweather navigation and targeting capability for the 65-year-old strategic
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The aircraft, equipped with a modernized radar system, completed this milestone as part of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program.
B-52 Stratofortress completes ferry flight after radar upgrade
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bomber to ensure its future effectiveness. The AESA radar, developed by Raytheon Technologies, and integrated into the B-52 by Boeing, follows successful radar upgrades on the U.S. Air Force F-15 and the US Navy F/A-18, and will bring a similar level of capability and maintainability to the venerable B-52. “The ferry flight of this upgraded B-52 marks an important moment in our efforts to modernize the bomber force,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “This radar modernization ensures that the B-52 will continue to serve as a cornerstone of American airpower well into the future. We are committed to extending the life of this vital platform, allowing it to operate alongside nextgeneration fighter and bomber aircraft.” The B-52 Radar Modernization Program is a key element of the broader
strategy to modernize the B-52 as its planned service life now extends through 2050 and potentially beyond, as it becomes the long-range strike complement to the Air Force’s newest strategic bomber, the B-21 Raider. Along with a new radar, the fleet of 76 B-52s are scheduled to receive additional upgrades, including new engines, crew compartments, conventional and nuclear communication systems, avionics, weapons and other capabilities which will enhance the B-52’s ability to carry out the full spectrum of combatant command and USSTRATCOMdirected missions. “This milestone ensures our future airmen inherit a modernized, ready Air Force,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “The B-52 Radar Modernization Program is about more than technol-
ogy, it’s about readiness, deterrence and the ability to fight and win. The B-52 remains a powerful example of how we fly, fix, and fight to sustain global strike capability.” The B-52 remains one of the most versatile and enduring assets in the Air Force’s inventory. Despite its age, it continues to adapt to meet evolving mission requirements. The completion of this ferry flight of the B-52 with its upgraded radar system is a clear signal of the Air Force’s ongoing commitment to bomber modernization and its dedication to ensuring these platforms remain viable for years to come. “The B-52 will continue to serve as an unmatched symbol of U.S. airpower,” Wilsbach said. “With these upgrades, the aircraft will remain ready to execute our nation’s deterrence and strike missions for decades.”
Fairfield Host Lions’
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Enjoy Tri-Tip, Crab, Clam Chowder, Salad & Garlic Bread
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8 Friday, December 19, 2025 — TRAVIS TAILWIND