More than 75 Airmen from the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132d Wing—including the Logistics Readiness Squadron, Communications Squadron, and Wing Staff—completed a nine-day training mission at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska. Integrated with the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing and the active-duty 673rd Air Base Wing, the training enhanced mission readiness through hands-on experience in vehicle maintenance, communications infrastructure, munitions assembly, and deployment logistics—tasks not available at their home base.

Airmen gained practical skills by working on diverse equipment, building MQ-9-compatible munitions, locating underground cables, climbing radio towers, and verifying communications standards alongside active-duty counterparts. The mission reinforced the Department of the Air Force’s Total Force concept by building relationships across components and aligning training to real-world operational needs. Leaders praised the mission’s success in advancing technical proficiency, leadership development, and joint force collaboration—setting the stage for future training rotations.
From the Heartland to the Last Frontier: lowa Airmen Take Training to New Heights