The airmen of the 55th Fighter Squadron from Shaw AFB, S.C., participating in Combat Hammer at Hill AFB, Utah, are experiencing some rare fighter pilot thrills, according to Lt. Col. Tom Littleton. The 55th FS director of operations says the opportunity to drop air-to-ground weapons in this type of combat exercise happens only about twice in a pilot’s career. And, during Hammer, the 55th FS becomes the first USAF operational fighter squadron to train, become certified, and drop a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. Shaw has sent some 123 airmen and several F-16s to Hill.
Loved Ones Mourn 6 Airmen Killed in KC-135 Crash
March 16, 2026
Tributes to the six crew members that died in the KC-135 Stratotanker crash in Iraq have flooded social media since the Pentagon released their identities March 14. They were the first Airmen to die while supporting Operation Epic Fury against Iran.