U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Holden P. Cooke, 145th Security Forces Squadron defender, fires a M18 pistol after transitioning from the M4A1 carbine during the Warrior Skills Course (WSC), Albemarle Police Department firing range, Albemarle, N.C., March 9, 2026. The WSC reinforced the warfighting mindset and warrior ethos, training Airmen in small unit tactics, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), weapons proficiency shooting, land navigation and integrated base defense. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Zeno Kang)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to the 122nd Fighter Wing, comes in for a landing at the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Oct. 20, 2023. The aircraft was the first of the fighters to arrive at the base since conversion to the F-16 began in April 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. William Hopper)

Philippine Air Force 5th Fighter Wing pilots welcome U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard pilots assigned to the 199th Air Expeditionary Squadron, comprising the 19th Fighter Squadron and 199th Fighter Squadron, following arrival at exercise Cope Thunder 26-1 at Basa Air Base, Philippines, April 3, 2026. Exercise Cope Thunder 26-1 enhances combined readiness, interoperability, and integrated deterrence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region while strengthening enduring partnerships between allied forces. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy)

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing, conduct an “Elephant Walk” as the final exercise during an Air Combat Command Combat Readiness Inspection, April 26, 2026, in Swanton, Ohio. Combat Readiness Inspections are designed to test a unit’s capabilities, effectiveness and efficiency. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker.)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Burton, Wing Safety Officer, poses for an official portrait at the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, in Cheyenne, Wyo., April 21, 2026. Burton, a current C-130H pilot, is headed to school to learn how to operate a C-130J aircraft as part of the wing’s transition from the C-130H to the C-130J model. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jonathon Alderman)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Burton, wing safety officer with the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, pilots a C-130 Hercules aircraft during flight operations, December 18, 2023. Burton, a current C-130H pilot, is preparing to attend training to learn how to operate a C-130J aircraft as part of the wing’s transition from the C-130H to the C-130J model. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jonathon Alderman)