The Tanker Task Force participating in Alaska’s Northern Edge exercise comprises 17 KC-135 aerial refuelers from 12 active, Guard, and Reserve units from across the country. Their job has been to refuel more than 100 aircraft every day during the two-week event that ends today. Led by the 168th Air Refueling Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska, the TTF is the largest in more than 10 years at Eielson and the largest of any Northern Edge exercise so far, says exercise officials. In fact, the 168th’s Maj. Mark Durley says the tanker crews are working about twice as long as they did during Red Flag Alaska.
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…


