Tuskegee Thunder was conducted alongside the wing’s Combat Readiness Inspection, a key assessment in its transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the F-35A. The inspection evaluated whether the 187th could sustain combat airpower and provide F-35 capability for joint operations as part of the Total Force.
Airmen faced simulated attacks, unmanned aircraft systems, chemical threats, casualties and degraded communications. Units had to protect personnel and equipment while continuing to generate aircraft and maintain command and control.
“The F-35 is the most capable fighter aircraft in the world, but readiness is ultimately measured by our Airmen’s ability to fight and sustain operations in the most challenging conditions,” said Col. John D. Caldwell, 187th Fighter Wing commander. “Operation Tuskegee Thunder provided our Airmen the opportunity to hone their skills, refine tactics, techniques and procedures, and develop the confidence to operate anywhere at any time.”
Pilots and operations personnel planned and executed F-35 missions while maintainers kept aircraft ready to fly. Security, logistics, communications and medical personnel supported operations across the installation as simulated threats disrupted normal procedures.
When primary communications became unavailable, units switched to alternate, contingency and emergency methods to maintain command and control. Airmen also responded to simulated gate runners, ground attacks and mass casualties while flight operations continued.
“Operating a fifth-generation fighter in a contested environment requires the entire wing to be part of the fight,” said Lt. Col. Martin “Lefty” Smith, 187th Fighter Wing F-35 pilot and plans and programs lead. “The challenge isn’t simply launching aircraft. It’s maintaining command and control, protecting and sustaining the force, adapting when the environment changes and continuing to generate combat airpower.”
“Tuskegee Thunder gives our Airmen the opportunity to work through those problems here so we’re prepared to execute when it matters,” Smith said. The exercise brought together several years of training conducted since the unit began its transition to the F-35.
The 187th received its first F-35As at Dannelly Field in December 2023, replacing the F-16 as the wing’s primary fighter. Since then, the unit has conducted large-force exercises, night training and operations from distributed locations.
In 2025, the wing supported Resolute Force Pacific by moving personnel and equipment for distributed operations across the Indo-Pacific. During Sentry South 26-2 in early 2026, F-35s continued flying from Dannelly Field while a small maintenance team operated from a forward location.
“We know a real fight isn’t going to go exactly the way we planned it,” Smith said. “People get tired, communications don’t always work and the situation changes.”
“We have to be able to adjust, make good decisions and keep getting airplanes airborne. That’s what training like this is for,” Smith said. Tuskegee Thunder expanded those lessons to the full wing, including aircraft generation, base defense, logistics, communications and medical response.
“The 187th Fighter Wing maintains a high level of readiness, so we are prepared to respond when our nation calls,” Caldwell said. “This inspection demonstrated that our Wing is ready to face any challenge that we may encounter during real world operations.”
