Airmen excel in austere environment during exercise CHAOS RISING

Published May 21, 2025
By Senior Airman Alondra Cristobal Hernandez
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

Airmen from the 21st Air Task Force honed their expeditionary readiness during exercise CHAOS RISING at the Combat Support Training Range at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 4 – 12, 2025.

The exercise—aligned with the “prepare” phase of the Air Force Force Generation model—simulated real-world operations in austere conditions with limited logistical support. Airmen practiced Agile Combat Employment tactics designed to increase combat resilience, strengthen global deterrence, and complicate adversary planning.

“Our hope is that Airmen learn they are more than just their Air Force Specialty Codes,” said Col. Thomas Walsh, 21st ATF commander. “They are part of something bigger when they come together as multi-functional teams.”

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Matthew Montillo, 7th Security Forces Squadron patrolman, aligns tent frames during exercise CHAOS RISING at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 10, 2025. The training exercise occurred at a Combat Support Training Range and allowed the 21st Air Task Force to exercise command and control elements using an Agile Combat Employment design rather than a traditional beddown, enhancing their flexibility and mobility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alondra Cristobal Hernandez)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Blevins, 96th Medical Support Squadron healthcare technician and tactical combat casualty care instructor, draws his weapon during a force protection course at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 9, 2025. The Air Task Force exercise CHAOS RISING emphasized achieving proficiency in Agile Combat Employment by executing operations from dispersed and austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alondra Cristobal Hernandez)

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 21st Air Task Force move a generator into place during exercise CHAOS RISING at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 10, 2025. The training exercise occurred at a Combat Support Training Range and allowed the 21st ATF to exercise command and control elements using an Agile Combat Employment design rather than a traditional beddown, enhancing their flexibility and mobility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alondra Cristobal Hernandez)

The training brought together Airmen from Dyess AFB, Robins AFB, Moody AFB, Joint Base Charleston, and medical personnel from Eglin AFB to form the core of the 21st Combat Air Base Squadron—21st ATF’s primary base operations support unit.

“I’m grateful for all of our mission partners,” said Walsh. “They have offered their best to help the 21st ATF achieve success and thrive in chaos.”

Participants gained hands-on experience in mission planning, base defense, logistics, and distributed command and control.

“Each day we wake up, team up, and learn about different AFSCs and how they contribute to the mission,” said Staff Sgt. Rikki Nye, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuel systems maintenance technician. “Working with different people highlights what it means to be mission ready.”

Throughout the exercise, evaluators assessed performance to verify readiness benchmarks and refine expeditionary tactics. Lessons learned will shape future iterations of ACE implementation across the Air Force.

“Airmen across the spectrum—different AFSCs, ranks, and experience levels—have come together to build cohesive teams and accomplish mission-ready training,” said Walsh. “They’re doing things they didn’t think were possible. I’m proud of how far we’ve come, and I look forward to where we’re going.”

CHAOS RISING reinforced the 21st ATF’s role as a pathfinding force—testing new command and control concepts while developing Airmen capable of executing critical missions from anywhere in the world.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Breauna, 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of material management, and Capt. Erin Stutts, 96th Operational Medical Readiness Support Squadron physical therapist, practice radio training during exercise CHAOS RISING at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 10, 2025. Training in a Combat Support Training Range allows Airmen to hone expeditionary skills and develop capabilities outside of their core Air Force Specialty Codes in austere conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alondra Cristobal Hernandez)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Sarah Balloga, 96th Medical Support Squadron health care associate program director, and Maj. Mary Storey, 96th Medical Support Squadron laboratory and pathology flight commander, lay pallet netting as part of a pallet mobilization course during exercise CHAOS RISING at a Combat Support Training Range location, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 9, 2025. The 21st Air Task Force participated in rigorous exercises and diverse training programs to ensure the ATF is fully prepared to execute assigned missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alondra Cristobal Hernandez)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Marcus Toney, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron requirements and optimization section chief, prepares a Tactical Combat Casualty Care medical card during exercise CHAOS RISING at a Combat Support Training Range location, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 9, 2025. The 21st Air Task Force exercise focused on proficiency in Agile Combat Employment by executing operations from dispersed and austere environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alondra Cristobal Hernandez)