T
he Air Force’s first dedicated combat search and rescue exercise providing realistic task force training concludes today at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. Exercise Angel Thunder was first held in 2006, but only as a base level exercise at Davis-Monthan. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley directed Air Combat Command to develop a command-wide exercise for CSAR resources, which reverted to ACC control last year. ACC like what it saw at Davis-Monthan, so took over sponsorship for this year’s event. Keeping it at the Arizona facility made sense, since Davis-Monthan has the right elements—pararescue airmen and equipment and a unique desert environment, plus an urban training complex called Desert Lightning City. A1C Melissa Copeland reports that Angel Thunder tests the theater spin-up capabilities of participating personnel and examines how Air Force assets are integrated for mission planning and execution.
To Replace Lost MQ-9s, USAF Eyes Next-Gen Reaper
May 13, 2026
The Air Force is looking at ways to rapidly replace some of the roughly two dozen MQ-9A Reaper drones it has lost as part of operations against Iran, top service officials told lawmakers May 12.