Pacific Air Forces is slated to kick off its seventh annual joint humanitarian assistance operation with Tonga on Monday by sending approximately 65 US service members to the country. As part of Operation Pacific Angel-Tonga, they will work alongside Tonga’s military force to help provide “general health, dental, optometry, pediatrics, and engineering programs” during the six-day humanitarian operation, states a release. Led by Pacific Air Forces, Operation PACANGEL helps “improve and build relationships in the event of future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts” and “supports US Pacific Command’s capacity-building,” states the release.
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.
