U.S. Airmen assigned to the 628th Air Base Wing check their mission-oriented protective posture gear after arriving at a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2026. CRE 2026 was designed to test the ability of members of Joint Base Charleston to generate and project strategic airlift capacity on short notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Douglas Wilkins, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team member, puts a drone in a bag after a threat assessment in a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 20, 2026. CRE 2026 ensures Team Charleston Airmen can operate under stress, respond to emerging threats, and deliver rapid global mobility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

Airmen assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron discuss how to defend a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 20, 2026. CRE 2026 ensures Team Charleston Airmen can operate under stress, respond to emerging threats and deliver rapid global mobility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Airmen discuss operations at a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 19, 2026. CRE 2026 put Airmen in dynamic scenarios, reinforcing a standard of excellence over minimums and empowering leadership at every level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Airmen test the capabilities of a hose at a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 19, 2026. CRE 2026 put Airmen in dynamic scenarios, reinforcing a standard of excellence over minimums and empowering leadership at every level. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Varnado, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency manager, responds to an exercise scenario during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan 19, 2026. This exercise and its scenarios mirror how Joint Base Charleston would operate in a contested, high-tempo environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Meghan Pastino)

U.S. Airmen stand next to a Humvee at a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2026. This exercise and its scenarios mirror how Joint Base Charleston would operate in a contested, high-tempo environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Daniel Smith, Airman assigned to the 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron, hands out weapons to be issued to Airmen arriving at a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2026. During CRE 2026, Airmen are faced with simulated threats including degraded conditions and operational friction, all while maintaining mission effectiveness and installation defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Tonalishco Ortega Oliver, Airman assigned to the 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron, fills out a hand receipt following the issue of a training weapon during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2026. This exercise and its scenarios mirror how Joint Base Charleston would operate in a contested, high-tempo environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Daishod Godbolt, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron Individual Protective Equipment technician, instructs 2nd Lt. Juan Rivera, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron lead for Combat Readiness Exercise 2026, to clear a training weapon upon arrival to a simulated deployed location during CRE 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2026. This exercise and its scenarios mirror how Joint Base Charleston would operate in a contested, high-tempo environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron run across a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2026. CRE 2026 was designed to test the ability of members of Joint Base Charleston to generate and project strategic airlift capacity on short notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 628th Air Base Wing bring equipment to a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2026. CRE 2026 was designed to test the ability of members of Joint Base Charleston to generate and project strategic airlift capacity on short notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 628th Air Base Wing check their mission-oriented protective posture gear after arriving at a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2026. This exercise and its scenarios mirror how Joint Base Charleston would operate in a contested, high-tempo environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 628th Air Base Wing check their mission-oriented protective posture gear after arriving at a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2026. CRE 2026 was designed to test the ability of members of Joint Base Charleston to generate and project strategic airlift capacity on short notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Spencer Powell, 628th Security Forces Squadron defender, runs across a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 19, 2026. CRE 2026 develops not only mission-ready units, but mission-ready Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)

Airmen assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron discuss how to defend a simulated deployed location during Combat Readiness Exercise 2026 at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Jan. 20, 2026. CRE 2026 ensures Team Charleston Airmen can operate under stress, respond to emerging threats and deliver rapid global mobility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regan Enriquez)