187th Fighter Wing

The training, held March 17-26, is designed to ensure pilots can execute combat missions in any lighting condition by mastering the challenges of night operations.

The Red Tails: Owning the Night

Capt Michael Luangkhot
The wing is projecting airpower from home station while deploying a small, self-sufficient maintenance team to a forward location at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in Mississippi.

The 187th Fighter Wing sharpens their combat edge during Sentry South 26-2

Capt Michael Luangkhot
U.S. Airmen with the 187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, adjust cargo near a semi-truck during an agile logistics operation at Dannelly Field, Alabama, July 2, 2025. The operation is in support of the first-in-a-generation Department-Level Exercise series, a new way of conducting operations in a contested, dynamic environment to build capabilities making a stronger, more lethal deterrent force. The DLE series encompasses all branches of the Department of Defense, along with Allies and partners, employing more than 400 Joint and coalition aircraft and more than 12,000 members at more than 50 locations across 3,000 miles. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Bordlee)

Readiness Rolling Out: 187 FW prepares for DLE 2025

Airman 1st Class Andre Bordlee
Checkered Flag is a biannual joint force aerial exercise featuring over 60 fourth and fifth-generation fighter jets in large-force combat simulations to enhance joint domain combat airpower. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Bordlee)

Ready, Set, Fly! Checkered Flag 25-2

A1C Andre Bordlee
The 187th Fighter Wing performed the first hot integrated combat turn with live munitions for the Weapon System Evaluation Program(WSEP).

187th Fighter Wing: F-35A Hot Integrated Combat Turn

A1C Andre Bordlee
The exercise allowed military personnel to connect unclassified, classified, and EVOIP services in a remote location. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Renee Crugnale)

226 CCG conducts annual Copperhead Beacon XCOMM Exercise

Staff Sgt. Renee Crugnale
The training ensures our maintainers and pilots remain prepared to effectively accomplish the mission regardless of the hour of operations.

Night Flying at the 187th Fighter WIng

1st Lt Michael Luangkhot
The 187th Fighter Wing participates in the annual NorthernLightning exercise, a large force readiness exercise at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, Wis. on Aug. 5-16, 2024.

Alabama F-35s participate in Northern Lightning 2024

Capt. Michael Luangkhot
The first jet from Lockheed Martin with Technology Refresh 3 software arrives at the 187th Fighter Wing, home of the Red Tails.

First TR-3 F-35 arrives in Alabama.

Capt. Michael Luangkhot
The 187th Fighter Wing participated in their first exercise with the newly acquired fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

Red Tails participate in their first exercise with the F-35s

1st Lt Michael Luangkhot

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