Airmen from Travis AFB, Calif., wrapped up the largest self-contained contingency response exercise in service history on Sept. 19. The 11-day exercise, called Cerberus Strike, was hosted by airmen from the 821st Contingency Response Group at Travis and focused on landing zone assessment, airbase opening, integrated force protection, and rapid deployment of both contingency response and Army forces, according to an Oct. 2 release. The exercise took place at five locations in California and Colorado and included multiple aircraft, including C-17s from JB Lewis-McChord, Wash.; C-5s from Travis; and C-130Js from Little Rock AFB, Ark., and Dyess AFB, Texas. Soldiers from Fort Carson also participated.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…