386th Air Expeditionary Wing News

386th AEW Joint Mass Casualty Exercise

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Colmenares — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 08:58:00 GMT

A simulated vehicle rollover scenario unfolded during a mass casualty exercise at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. First responders from the 386th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron and 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron collaborated with U.S. Army combat medics from the 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and medics from Canadian Armed Forces in a simulated emergency scenario in response to multiple casualties.

Fuel spill exercise strengthens joint response at 386th AEW

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fritz — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 12:25:00 GMT

U.S. Airmen and Soldiers from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing and C-12 Regional Flight Center conducted a joint fuel spill exercise, testing emergency response procedures and strengthening interoperability across units within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 9, 2025.

AFCENT ARC advisor team visits the 386th AEW

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Colmenares — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 11:55:00 GMT

The U.S. Air Forces Central Air Reserve Component advisor team visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Aug. 13-14 to answer questions and provide information to reserve and guard component Airmen deployed in the area of operation. The team hosted briefings and Q&A sessions covering topics such as pay, leave, the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, TRICARE, the GI Bill, post-deployment transition and reconstitution time.

386th ECES sharpens CBRN skills in underground exercise

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fritz — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 07:02:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron tested their chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response capabilities during a sensitive site exploitation exercise, simulating a clandestine weapons of mass destruction lab within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 24, 2025. The scenario began with an order indicating a suspected chemical weapons facility underground. Teams were tasked with planning and executing a mission to identify, sample and document potential threats in a simulated hostile environment.

CMSAF visits 386th AEW, highlights readiness and resilience

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fritz — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 10:28:00 GMT

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Flosi visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing to recognize outstanding Airmen and bolster the Air Force’s commitment to readiness, adaptability and the well-being of its people during a time of increasing global uncertainty.

Sibling strength: Military twins face deployment together

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fritz — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 07:02:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Brandi and Mikal Newmark, 386th Expeditionary Logistics Squadron air transportation technicians, know that reality firsthand. The fraternal twins, both from the 70th Aerial Port Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, are currently serving together on their first deployment.

Tech. Sgt. promotion ceremony held at the 386th AEW

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Timothy Leddick — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:59:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force Airmen across the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing gathered together to recognize one of the most pivotal transitions in an enlisted Airman’s career: the promotion to technical sergeant. The ceremony, held at the base theater, Aug. 2, 2025, marked more than just a change in rank — it honored the journey from not only an expert in the field, but to a mentor and mission leader.

22nd ECWS’s new radar system restores forecasting capabilities

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fritz — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:21:00 GMT

The 22nd Expeditionary Combat Weather Squadron completed a radar replacement project that will significantly bolster forecasting capabilities and improve resource protection across the region within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The installation of a new Portable Doppler Radar weather system ensures critical real-time storm monitoring capabilities.

386th AEW First Sergeants host additional duty First Sergeant symposium

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fritz — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 07:07:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force first sergeants across the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing launched an Additional Duty First Sergeant Symposium within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 2 through June 4, 2025. The three-day course prepared motivated NCOs for the demands of serving as an additional duty first sergeant, with an eye toward potentially earning the diamond themselves in the future.

Know your kit: TCCC familiarization training at the 386th AEW

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Colmenares — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 07:42:00 GMT

“Aahh!” You hear someone call out for help. You rush to the scene and are asked for a tourniquet. Precious moments slip by as you scan the room, only to realize—you’re not sure where the trauma bag is or even how to apply a tourniquet. That moment of hesitation is exactly what the 386th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron aims to prevent during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care familiarization event held at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, June 1, 2025. The event was designed to increase awareness and hands-on experience with Joint First Aid Kits, trauma bag contents and casualty response procedures.

386th AEW honors Police Week 2025

Pentagon News — Mon, 19 May 2025 08:28:00 GMT

At the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Police Week 2025 was recognized through a series of events that paid tribute to Defenders while strengthening bonds across the installation. “National Police Week is a time to remind us of all the tremendous sacrifice made by law enforcement and our Defenders,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Beckman, 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron commander. “Our Defenders work in less-than-ideal conditions with the understanding that day could bring the most tragic of circumstances. Despite the enormous responsibility placed upon their shoulders, they continue to show up every day and answer the call without fear or hesitation.”

386th AEW: MindGym opens to help Airmen build mental resilience

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fritz — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 11:02:00 GMT

Airmen at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing now have a new tool to strengthen their mental fitness thanks to the opening of the Lumena MindGym, a fully immersive cognitive training center aimed at combating stress and building resilience. The MindGym is designed to teach Airmen simple but powerful techniques for managing stress, improving attention and enhancing mission readiness.

386th AEW: From technical training to deployment

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Colmenares — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 10:39:00 GMT

The ink on his technical school graduation certificate had barely dried when the call came: deployment orders. Now, thousands of miles from home, with sand under his boots instead of classroom tile, U.S. Air Force Airman Rockett Nichols, 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron radio frequency transmission systems technician, finds himself not in training, but in the real-world heartbeat of an operational mission. The rapid shift from trainee to frontline Airman isn’t just a test of skill — it’s being Ready Now, and Nichols is stepping into the fire head-on. Just weeks after completing his training, Nichols is now part of a team responsible for maintaining communication systems that support the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing’s mission across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

386th AEW: Clearing the flight line, protecting the mission

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. James Fritz — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 08:16:00 GMT

Noah Baity, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services wildlife biologist, supports a long-standing partnership with the U.S. Air Force focused on mitigating wildlife hazards within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. For more than 15 years, the USDA has embedded specialists across airfields to manage risks that could jeopardize flight safety and mission readiness. “Birds and planes do not mix,” Baity said. “They’ve caused crashes, cost millions in damage, and in some cases, taken lives. We’re here to reduce that risk.”

386th AEW welcomes new commander

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Julian Atkins — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 05:44:00 GMT

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing held a change of command ceremony, April 2, 2025, marking the transition of leadership from Col. Robert Kline to Col. Douglas Stouffer.

More than the average veterinarian: U.S. Army vets ensure safety and security

Senior Airman Julian Atkins — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:18:19 GMT

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 147th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services Support provide critical support to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing mission by ensuring the health and readiness of military working dogs, maintaining food safety, and mitigating public health risks.

386th ECS keeps Airmen, mission connected

Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 10:12:00 GMT

The 386th Expeditionary Communications Squadron's infrastructure section is responsible for maintaining, securing, and upgrading network capabilities to support the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing and other end users across the base.

386 EMXS combat metals flight: innovating for mission readiness

Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:36:00 GMT

The 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron combat metals flight plays a critical role in sustaining airpower.

EOD demolition day brings together host nation, 386th ECES, ELRS

Pentagon News — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 08:46:00 GMT

The 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight conducted a live demolition and range operations within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 4-5, 2025. The demolition event marked the culmination of months of coordination between the U.S. and the host nation to open a new range for use by the EOD flight. Host nation service members were invited to observe the operation and their participation further strengthens communication, collaboration, and long-term alliances.

386th AEW Financial Management flight makes money moves

Senior Airman Julian Atkins — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 12:50:11 GMT

When finance Airmen deploy, their responsibilities shift from primarily administrative tasks at home station to managing cash transactions, funding mission-essential needs, and ensuring financial accountability in a contingency environment.