55th Wing Airmen Deploy to Australia for Talon Shield, Advancing Agile Combat Readiness with Allied Partners

On July 1, Talon Shield will kick-off with U.S. Air Force assets and Airmen in Australia sharpening their ability to rapidly deploy forces using the Deployable Combat Wing force presentation model. The exercise, led by Air Combat Command, will reinforce the U.S. Air Force’s commitment to readiness and global security. 

During Talon Shield, Airmen from the 55th Wing, 319th Reconnaissance Wing, and 552nd Air Control Wing—along with Australian allies—will work to organize, generate, deploy, and operate forces under conditions of resource constraint and degraded communications. The teams will sharpen distributed ground and airborne command and control, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets, to ensure the mission can continue in contested environments. 

“Talon Shield is a step forward in evolving the U.S. Air Force force generation models to guarantee the service is prepared to conduct the mission anywhere, at any time,” said Col. Aaron Gray, commander of the 55th Wing. “The exercise strengthens force readiness and the ability to conduct agile, distributed operations as an allied team, as well as the collective ability to keep pace with the rapidly evolving strategic environment.”

Additionally, Talon Shield will support Talisman Sabre, which is the largest exercise conducted in Australia and bilaterally planned and conducted by Australia and the U.S., with combined participation of 19 nations. Talisman Sabre is designed to strengthen operational cooperation and integrates complex and realistic training to enhance participating nations’ ability to collectively respond to a range of crises. 

“Training shoulder-to-shoulder with allies and partners strengthens interoperability, demonstrates combined resolve and readiness, and upholds regional stability and the rules-based international order that safeguards global peace and prosperity,” Col. Gray said.

For additional information or media inquiries, please contact the 55th Wing Public Affairs Office at (402) 294-3663 or 55WG.PA@us.af.mil.