104th Fighter Wing Tests Readiness in Multi-Phase Combat Readiness Exercise

BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. – Airmen from the 104th Fighter Wing Mission Support Group (MSG) and the 104th Fighter Wing Munitions Squadron participated in a 72-hour Combat Readiness Exercise (CRE) at Barnes Air National Guard Base and Westover Air Reserve Base August 21-23, 2026, one of the largest exercises ever conducted by the wing.

The exercise simulated a secluded deployed location, requiring participants to establish and defend a base, build essential support functions and prepare the site to receive aircraft.

With Barnes ANGB acting as the main operating base (MOB) and Westover Air Reserve Base acting as the forward operating base (FOB) to create an environment that would replicate overseas deployments, the intent of the CRE exercise was to help prepare 104th members for potential future deployments by testing their combat readiness in hostile environments and maintaining an established communication with the MOB.

At Barnes, Airmen processed through simulated deployment lines in three separate teams, carrying deployment gear and weapons before traveling to the deployed FOB location at Westover’s “Dog Patch,” an isolated area designed to replicate a bare-base environment.

Another team from 104th Fighter Wing participated as the Opposing Force (OPFOR). The OPFOR team’s focus was to simulate enemy tactics to stress-test the defending forces' capabilities, tactical decision-making, and perimeter security under realistic combat conditions.

To thoroughly challenge the training audience, the OPFOR utilized simulated ambushes and raids to disrupt supply lines and test immediate action drills, alongside probing attacks and tactical assaults on defense perimeters to evaluate guard vigilance and reaction-force responses. Additionally, they employed simulated sniper and harassing fire to force defensive positioning and rigorously test casualty evacuation procedures under harsh conditions.

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Sean Dowd, 104th Fighter Wing Command Post, acted as a member of the OPFOR and described how they maintained high operational tempo while planning and executing a wide variety of tactical scenarios.

“While I have participated in multi-day 24-hour operational exercises in the past, nothing compared to the sustained intensity and scope of this 72-hour event, “said Dowd. “It was a demanding but incredibly valuable opportunity to step into the OPFOR role.”

The first day focused on establishing core base functions, including lodging, communications, and work centers. Teams were then introduced to escalating scenarios, including a simulated drone attack involving chemical agents that required Airmen to don chemical-protective gear.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Kailee Valliere, 104th Fighter Wing Force Support Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of lodging and mortuary affairs, said the exercise allowed participants to demonstrate the skills they had developed during prior training.

“This was not training, Valliere said.” We were testing our skills in a realistic, simulated environment.”

Many events took place during darkness and after limited rest, preparing Airmen for the exercise’s final night, known as “Hell Night,” which included simulated drone activity, explosions, blank gunfire, large-caliber weapons fire, smoke, sirens, mortar attacks and combat movements.

During these exercises, the 104th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) played the primary Air Base Ground Defense (ABGD) role, securing the base and its surrounding area.

U.S Air Force Technical Sgt Cody Fongemie, 104th Fighter Wing Security Forces Squadron, participated as the Wing Inspection Team (WIT) team lead, said there were some challenges.

“Going to a location that had no perimeter at all required SFS to establish one, “said Fongemie. “Because of proactive instruction carried over into the field, SFS provided immediate, real-time mentoring throughout the exercise, with Defenders of all ranks actively sharing their expertise to support and guide sister squadrons.”

Once the footprint was established, SFS provided continuous 24/7 defense against both Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) threats and active enemy combatants for the duration of the 72-hour exercise.

“The squadron successfully executed the entire deployment cycle planning the complex mission, deploying with all combat-essential equipment, convoying into the objective area, and fighting through an active enemy ambush,” said Fongemie

U.S. Air Force Maj. James Ingari, 104th Fighter Wing Communications Squadron director of operations, served as the forward operating base commander during the exercise, and described the objectives of the exercise, including allowing MSG units to demonstrate their mission essential tasks.

“Another purpose was for units within the MSG to exercise providing deployed communications, mortuary affairs, deployed meals, and cargo deployment.”

Valliere said the mortuary affairs scenario was especially valuable because those events are uncommon in day-to-day operations.

“We don’t hope to use these skills very often but need to utilize scenarios like these to stay proficient,” Valliere said on the value of realistic mortuary affairs training.

The 104th Fighter Wing Inspector General Office (IGO) evaluated how participants responded to the exercise scenarios and carried out their assigned duties at both the FOB and MOB through the evaluation of Mission Essential Tasks and Desired Learning Objectives (MSEL) defined by unit commanders.

“As IG, we ensured the exercise went according to plan with emphasis on evaluations, exercise integrity and safety,” said U.S Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Duval, 104th Fighter Wing IG office. “We worked with the WIT from across the unit which functioned as subject matter experts to ensure proper scenarios were developed, evaluated and graded.”

The IG office worked with contacts across Westover, resourcing from their exercise plans section, fire department, security forces, and air traffic control. Mass DOT was asked to participate with five drones used to evaluate the 104th Fighter Wing’s response to drone operations.

U.S Air Force Master Sgt. Leo Burbee, 104th Fighter Wing IG inspections Coordinator, was also part of the planning process for this large-scale exercise since November 2025.

“The exercise was successful by testing the readiness and resilience of the airmen involved, “said Burbee. “Additionally, with what are airman are currently encountering during Epic Fury, it was important to wing leadership that those elements were incorporated into this exercise.”

Dowd felt the exercise successfully provided the challenging, dynamic adversary that our forces needed to truly test their readiness, apply deployed skills, and identify areas for continued improvement.

“I look forward to taking these lessons forward into our next training cycle,” said Dowd.

The overall success of the Combat Readiness Exercise shows the wing’s ability to effectively demonstrate their deployable training and skills in potential hostile environments, highlighting the 104th Fighter Wing’s combat-ready Airmen.

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