Page 10 - Aerotech News and Review – December 5, 2025

10 December 5, 2025 www.aerotechnews.com
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DM validates power projection, installation defense through combat readiness exercise
by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio
Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
U.S. Airmen from the 355th Wing participated in a biannual, large-scale combat readiness exercise at Davis- Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 12 to 19, 2025.
Mosaic Lightning 26-1 validated the wing’s readiness, agility, and le- thality, ensuring Airmen are prepared to meet the demands of modern war- fare. Members from multiple squad- rons across Davis-Monthan were assessed on their ability to generate, project, and sustain combat power under the pressures of a contested and degraded operational environment.
“Our goal is to identify knowns and unknowns, close capability gaps, and refine processes. By testing controlled and sometimes unpredictable sce- narios, we strengthen our readiness to operate effectively in high-intensity environments with multiple compet- ing demands,” said Master Sgt. Whit- ney Sargent, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron wing inspection team lead.
Throughout the exercise, Airmen received injects that required specific actions, challenging them to apply their mission-ready skills to success- fully complete the mission.
“One of the biggest challenges was integrating various standards and approaches into a single, executable scenario. We had to design an exercise that realistically tested our capabili- ties while still ensuring mission as- surance,” Sargent said.
Airmen were evaluated on their ability to conduct simultaneous mission assurance tasks, sustain op- erational and tactical generation in both home-station and deployed en- vironments, and respond to complex command-and-control challenges.
“We aimed to bolster the 355th Wing’s lethality by providing a rigor- ous training opportunity that forges readiness across the wing,” said the 355th Inspector General team. “An- other key objective was to develop the force to meet readiness needs across a wide range of potential threats. Even at home station, it’s critical that we continue learning, improving, and adapting to emerging threats.”
The exercise reinforced that readi- ness extends beyond individual tasks and requires Airmen to understand broader responsibilities, sustain op- erations, reintegrate after missions, and support fellow service members throughout.
The 355th Inspector General team
Air Force photographs by Airman 1st Class Samantha Melecio
U.S. Air Force Airmen worked to excavate and repair a runway during Mosaic Lightning 26-1 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 12, 2025. The Airmen worked together to conduct a repair on the simulated flightline, demonstrating their teamwork and efficiency in completing the task in a short amount of time.
A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron stands watch during an active shooter exercise as a part of Mosaic Lightning 26-1 at Davis- Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 13, 2025. The Airmen were required to strategically plan how to neutralize the shooters and move simulated casualties to safety.
U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight discuss possible methods to safely dispose of a simulated drone during a scenario in part of Mosaic Lightning 26-1 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 14, 2025. The exercise required them to consider blast effects, device components and the safest disposal procedures.
emphasized that every member of Davis-Monthan, whether civilian, as- signed, or tenant, plays a crucial role in keeping the installation safe and operating at peak performance.
Mosaic Lightning 26-1 underscored the 355th Wing’s readiness and war- rior mindset, proving the team’s abil- ity to adapt and fight in contested conditions. Airmen across Davis- Monthan showed that with unified effort and focus, the wing remains prepared to execute the Air Force mis- sion anytime, anywhere.
A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician retrieves equipment during Mosaic Lightning 26-1 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Airz., Nov. 14, 2025. EOD Airmen were tasked to use precise identification of components to safely render a simulated device inert.
LEFT: U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 355th Civil Engineer squadron discuss their next steps to return power to a transformer box during Exercise Mosaic Lightning 26-1 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 12, 2025. The group of airmen went through a checklist of priorities during the exercise to ensure mission capabilities did not fail.