KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Whether supporting critical operations overseas, participating in multinational exercises, or enhancing readiness through hands-on training, 403rd Wing reservists proved their commitment to readiness in support of the Air Force mission.
“Our wing demonstrated exceptional performance and versatility in 2024, contributing to global missions, enhancing readiness, and reinforcing the Air Force Reserve’s vital role in national security,” said Col. John F. Benson, 403rd Wing commander. “From high-stakes global deployments to rigorous training exercises, the 403rd Wing’s personnel proved themselves as agile, highly capable, and mission-ready in the face of diverse challenges.”
These are a few of the wing’s accomplishments that demonstrated unit members’ role in ensuring national security and fostering partnerships at home and abroad.
Global Deployment, Support to Key Operations
In 2024, the 403rd Wing deployed 113 reservists worldwide to support key Air Force operations, including Operations Spartan Shield, Enduring Sentinel, and East Africa Counterterrorism. These operations, designed to bolster global security and counter emerging threats, saw 403rd personnel contributing their expertise to exercises and missions across the globe, from the Indo-Pacific to Africa and beyond.
Wing members played crucial roles in several high-profile exercises and operational missions, such as Silver Arrow, Cope North, Trade Winds, Ulchi Freedom Shield, Red Flag, Cope Thunder, and Balikatan.
“These multinational, joint-force operations tested and refined the readiness of U.S. and allied forces, reinforcing the 403rd Wing’s capability to project power, support humanitarian efforts, and maintain operational readiness in all corners of the world,” said Benson.
A Test of Readiness
The wing tested its wartime capability to ensure Airmen were mission ready June 3-8 during their own readiness exercise, Operation Thunder Strike. This validated its ability to deploy rapidly and operate in contested environments. More than 75 Reserve Citizen Airmen, drawn from the 403rd Wing Staff Agencies, 403rd Mission Support Group and the 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron “deployed” to the Indo-Pacific region for tactical training.
The exercise included a variety of critical skill-building activities, including tactical combat care medical training, basic life-saving techniques, and Ability to Survive and Operate training. Participants also fulfilled mission-essential objectives in a mock warfare environment, preparing them for the challenges of modern conflict. The exercise underscored the 403rd’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a state of readiness for real-world contingencies.
“Our Airmen were able to take lessons learned from this exercise and prepare for the challenges we might face in the future as well as build future readiness training opportunities,” said Col. Jaret Fish,403rd Wing deputy commander.
Above and Beyond the Hurricanes
While the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron is best known for its daring missions into the heart of hurricanes, 2024 proved to be another busy year for the squadron, providing winter storm reconnaissance. Atmospheric rivers, which carry concentrated moisture from the Pacific to the western U.S., have become a significant source of concern for flood risk management.
This year, the 53rd flew 48 winter storm missions, logging 589.7 hours and deploying 868 dropsondes and 70 buoys as part of the National Winter Season Operations Plan. The squadron also tackled a busy hurricane season, in support of the National Hurricane Operations Plan, flying 107 missions, totaling 1,130.6 hours, and deploying 1,267 dropsondes into 12 of the 18 named storms in the Atlantic, and two tropical cyclones in the Pacific.
The demand for the Hurricane Hunters’ services hasn’t let up.
Since 2018, demand for winter storm reconnaissance has skyrocketed, with a 600% increase in requests for weather data to assist with water management on the West Coast and a 20% increase in tropical storm reconnaissance, said Lt. Col. Ryan Rickert, 53rd WRS chief aerial reconnaissance weather officer. The data collected by the squadron plays a critical role in protecting U.S. coastlines and lives. In 2024, along with the support of maintenance and mission support personnel, the 53rd’s reconnaissance efforts helped safeguard more than 37,000 square miles of coastline and over 80 million people.
Delivering Readiness Globally
The 815th Airlift Squadron also made significant contributions in 2024, flying 775 sorties and accumulating 1,559.6 flying hours in support of various missions and exercises. A notable highlight was the squadron’s participation in Cope North 24, a large-scale exercise held in February at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. According to Capt. Zachary Underwood, 815th AS pilot who took part in the exercise, they flew 70 sorties, moved more than 446,000 pounds of cargo, 383 passengers, and 64 simulated Aeromedical Evacuation patients, alongside 160 pallets of essential supplies.
With their two C-130J Super Hercules, aircrew members were able to operate out of unprepared landing zones in an austere environment, move oversized cargo, perform combat off-loads, and transport aeromedical evacuation patients from an austere environment. They also got experience with flush planning and execution, he said, where in a simulated scenario remote and isolated airfields were attacked, and personnel were rapidly moved to Anderson AFB.
The Flyng Jennie’s role in supporting Silver Arrow was equally impressive, said Lt. Col. Mark Suckow, 815th AS director of operations, explaining that the U.S. European Command operation near Camp Ādaži in Latvia, further proved their global reach throughout the European theater supporting not only U.S. missions but allied nations as well with numerous airland, airdrop, and aeromedical sorties.
“The operation aims to improve interoperability, develop relationships, and increase combat readiness,” said Suckow. The squadron completed 84 sorties, flew 191 hours, and moved more than 431 tons of cargo. In total, the 815th transported 201 passengers, 179 jumpers, and 22 aeromedical evacuation patients, providing vital airlift support during the exercise, he said.
The 815th was also active in Tanker Airlift Control Center missions, moving 500 tons of cargo, 1,000 military personnel, and 300 patients to ensure mission success during high-priority assignments, said Suckow.
Innovating for Contested Environments
The 403rd Maintenance Group was at the forefront of innovative solutions aimed at increasing operational agility, said Col. William Magee, 403rd MXG commander. In June, the group’s 803rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron successfully tested a proof-of-concept Self-Supporting Generation Team during an Agile Combat Employment event at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Mississippi. In partnership with the Louisiana Air National Guard’s 159th Fighter Wing, this exercise focused on maintaining combat readiness with minimal logistics support in contested environments.
"I want our Airmen to become more lethal," said Magee. “The goal is to create agile, lethal, and survivable Airmen who can operate effectively in contested environments.”
Meanwhile, the 803rd also collaborated with the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Ohio to contribute to a major milestone—the successful conversion of C-130H aircraft to the C-130J fleet. This $914 million project ensures the Air Force's airlift capabilities remain state-of-the-art, with the 803rd's efforts playing a pivotal role in keeping the fleet mission ready.
Recruiting the Future
On the community front, the 403rd Wing is now an Aviation Inspiration and Mentorship Wing and hosted their first event for more than 80 Louisiana Civil Air Patrol cadets July 29-30.
AIM is an Air Force outreach program that supports community engagement with a mission to inform, influence and inspire the next generation of Air Force aviators.
“Every Airman is a recruiter so it’s imperative we connect with the community, and host visits such as this, to educate youth to inspire them towards aviation and aviation-related career fields,” said Magee. “It’s also important for us as reservists to inform youth and the public about our contributions to national defense and the benefits of military service.”
In addition to the AIM Wing program, the MXG conducted several student outreach and mentorship initiatives with local schools, resulting in over 500 prospective applicants and a 236% increase in maintenance recruiting numbers, according to Magee.
Leadership and Community
The year brought several leadership changes. Col. Jaret Fish, 403rd Wing deputy commander, arrived in March; and the following commanders were welcomed by their units: Maj. Jonathan Bolton, 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, Maj. Robert Glover, 403rd Security Forces Squadron, Maj. Mary Fellows, 41st Aerial Port Squadron, and Lt. Col. Stephanie Brown, 815th AS.
The wing also welcomed its new Director of Psychological Health, Mary Ruffin, who, among a host of services, provides counsel to command and limited-scope mental health services to wing personnel and their families.
And to assist reservists who may need a helping hand, the wing opened their own Airman’s Attic. Free clothing, uniforms and small household goods, as well as pantry items, are available to wing members during Unit Training Assemblies.
A Year of Excellence and Readiness
“From hurricane reconnaissance to airlift operations and readiness training, our reservists have proven time and again that they are ready to meet any challenge head-on, anywhere in the world,” said Benson. “As the year draws to a close, the 403rd Wing stands as a testament to the vital contributions of the Air Force Reserve and the dedication of its Citizen Airmen, and we are ready for 2025.”