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Blue Sands 26.1 fortifies integrated air defense and C-UAS capab

A U.S. Air Force 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft takes off during Blue Sands 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2025. This routine, multinational exercise focuses on refining shared command and control and joint targeting procedures, ultimately enabling faster and more precise defensive responses to missile and unmanned aerial system threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)
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Blue Sands 26.1 fortifies integrated air defense and C-UAS capab

U.S. Air Force Capt. Austin Aitro, 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot, conducts preflight checks during Blue Sands 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2025. Blue Sands 26.1 emphasizes defensive tactics, techniques, and procedures with scenarios designed to enhance integrated air defense capabilities in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)
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Blue Sands 26.1 fortifies integrated air defense and C-UAS capab

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Leo Kim, 555th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, cleans an F-16 Fighting Falcon canopy during Blue Sands 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2025. This routine, multinational exercise focuses on refining shared command and control and joint targeting procedures, ultimately enabling faster and more precise defensive responses to missile and unmanned aerial system threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)
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Blue Sands 26.1 fortifies integrated air defense and C-UAS capab

U.S. Air Force 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 510th EFS F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft taxi during Blue Sands 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2025. This defensive-focused exercise, facilitated by U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker air-to-air refueling, enhances multinational integration, interoperability, and lethality through sustained counter-unmanned aircraft systems and integrated air and missile defense training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)
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Blue Sands 26.1 fortifies integrated air defense and C-UAS capab

U.S. Air Force 555th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and 510th EFS F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft taxi during Blue Sands 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2025. The exercise integrates U.S. Air Force personnel with partner nations to build upon existing tactics, techniques, and procedures in a joint environment with the shared goal of ensuring a secure and stable region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)
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Blue Sands 26.1 fortifies integrated air defense and C-UAS capab

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Leo Kim, 555th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, unwraps a cable as part of preflight checks during Blue Sands 26.1 within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 11, 2025. Blue Sands 26.1 demonstrates the commitment of the U.S., partner nations, and allies to safeguard population centers, facilities, and vital maritime and air corridors from potential threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman De’Quan Simmons)
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F-16s take off to support combat operations

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 10, 2024. The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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F-16s take off to support combat operations

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 10, 2024. The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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F-16s take off to support combat operations

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 10, 2024. The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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F-16s take off to support combat operations

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 10, 2024. The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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F-16s take off to support combat operations

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 10, 2024. The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran's partners and proxies. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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240624-F-NJ333-1011

U.S. Air Force maintainers assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron repair a F-16 Fighting Falcon at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 24, 2024. The on-site repair minimized the aircraft’s downtime and reduced expenses, enhancing the wing’s operational effectiveness and guaranteeing readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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240624-F-NJ333-1007

A U.S. Air Force maintainer assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron repairs a F-16 Fighting Falcon at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 24, 2024. To maximize combat capability, the EMXS gained engineer approval to repair the aircraft on site, installing twenty-six components in four days to restore the aircraft’s structural integrity.(U.S. Air Force photo)
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240624-F-NJ333-1003

A U.S. Air Force maintainer assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron repairs a F-16 Fighting Falcon at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 24, 2024. This significant repair demonstrated the squadron’s resourcefulness and delivered operation-enhancing results. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Reviving a 40 year old technique: AUAB tests first ground A2A refuel in decades

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron prepare an F-16 Fighting Falcon from Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, for an aircraft-to-aircraft ground refueling at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Dec. 27, 2022. Airmen from multiple units across the Air Force Central Command area of responsibility, including PSAB, AFCENT and AUAB provided support for the proof of concept that the 379th EAMXS executed at AUAB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek Seifert)
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Reviving a 40 year old technique: AUAB tests first ground A2A refuel in decades

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare a KC-135 Stratotanker and F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron, Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, for an aircraft-to-aircraft ground refueling at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Dec. 27, 2022. Airmen from multiple units across the Air Force Central Command area of responsibility, including PSAB, AFCENT and AUAB provided support for the proof of concept that the 379th EAMXS executed at AUAB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek Seifert)
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Reviving a 40 year old technique: AUAB tests first ground A2A refuel in decades

A fuel hose is placed in position for an aircraft-to-aircraft ground refuel at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Dec. 27, 2022. In the event of an emergency, this refueling technique can be used to provide fuel for aircraft when traditional means are unavailable. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek Seifert)
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Reviving a 40 year old technique: AUAB tests first ground A2A refuel in decades

Tech. Sgt. Joseph Perez, a 379th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron tanker special projects noncommissioned officer in charge, pulls a refueling hose after finishing an aircraft-to-aircraft ground refuel at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Dec. 27, 2022. In the event of an emergency, this refueling technique can be used to provide fuel for aircraft when traditional means are unavailable. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Derek Seifert)
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OAS II G3 Flight

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, thanks Senior Airman Tyler Collins, 79th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, prior to departure during an exercise at an undisclosed location, September 7, 2022. Grynkewich flew an F-16 Fighting Falcon alongside coalition partners in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as part of Operation Agile Spartan III. OAS III tested rapid troop and equipment movement to and from dispersed locations around the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dalton Williams)
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OAS III G3 Afterflight

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, shakes the hand of Capt. Sean Cahill, 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16CM Fighting Falcon pilot, after flying a mission together at an undisclosed location, September 7, 2022. Grynkewich flew an F-16 Fighting Falcon alongside AFCENT Airmen and coalition partners in support of Operation Inherent Resolve as part of Operation Agile Spartan III. OAS III tested rapid troop and equipment movement to and from dispersed locations around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dalton Williams)
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