The head of Air Mobility Command, Gen. Mike Minihan, plans to nominate Air Force units and service members involved in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan for the nation's highest military awards, after airmen were left out of the group selected to receive the Presidential Unit Citation. The nomination process and fair recognition for Operation Allies Refuge have been questioned. Minihan intends to push for a change in the eligibility criteria and lobby for airmen to receive honors awarded at higher echelons of the federal government. The award process has faced delays and criticism, and Minihan aims to ensure that all deserving units and individuals are recognized for their contributions.
Air Mobility Command is conducting its largest readiness exercise, Mobility Guardian, in the Indo-Pacific region, involving forces from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, France, and Japan. The exercise includes moving over 15,000 U.S. and international forces across the region, with activities such as resupply missions, aerial refueling, and medical evacuations. The exercise comes amid heightened tensions with China, and Air Force Gen. Michael Minihan has emphasized the importance of being ready for potential conflicts.
Exercise Mobility Guardian 23 (MG23), the largest iteration of Air Mobility Command's premier training exercise, has begun in Guam with major international participation from seven countries. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and test cargo aircraft capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, as the U.S. and its allies prepare to challenge China. MG23 involves various mission types, including airlift, aerial refueling, and humanitarian assistance, and serves as a cohesive glue for other exercises in the Indo-Pacific. The event aligns with the Air Force's Agile Combat Employment concepts and addresses integration gaps between allied and partner nations. The exercise highlights the importance of airlift in potential conflicts in the Pacific.
