Mission proven: 55th Wing wraps Talon Shield with combat-ready precision Published Aug. 4, 2025 By Kris "Krispy" Pierce 55th Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE EDINBURGH, Australia -- In the final hours of Exercise Talon Shield, conducted under the umbrella of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, the U.S. Air Force’s 55th Wing concluded a historic deployment alongside the Royal Australian Air Force’s 10 Squadron and 92 Wing. The result was a demonstration of coalition precision, rapid integration, and operational dominance across the Indo-Pacific. Operating as a strategic deployable combat wing, the 55th Wing deployed nearly 200 Airmen to test its ability to move fast, fight forward, and win decisively. Augmented by combat-ready teams from the 319th Reconnaissance Wing and 552nd Air Control Wing, the 55th delivered robust command and control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electromagnetic warfare support across the battlespace. The deployment proved that in today’s fight, joint and coalition integration is not a luxury—it is a requirement. “Our team came laser focused on demonstrating both this special DCW concept and the importance of RC-135V/W Rivet Joint integration into long-range kill chain operations. With the help of our great Australian allies, we accomplished it all,” said Col. Aaron Gray, commander of the 55th Wing. From 22-hour RC-135V/W Rivet Joint sorties to distributed command and control operations through ground-based and airborne nodes, 55th Wing personnel combined with Airmen from the 319th and 552nd to deliver on every front. The integrated team flew missions alongside the RAAF F/A-18 and F-35A squadrons, supported battle management via the E-7 Wedgetail, and executed joint targeting and kill chain advancement through RAAF Bandicoot Control Reporting Elements. At the core of the deployment was the strategic deployable combat wing concept, which was tested and validated under pressure. The 55th Wing not only met but exceeded Air Combat Command’s readiness metrics. Talon Shield confirmed the 55th Wing’s ability to generate, employ, and sustain combat power in contested, degraded, and coalition-integrated environments. Support personnel, including security forces, maintainers, medics, logisticians, and communicators, executed with precision under Australia’s strict operational and environmental standards. Whether preparing aircraft, providing force protection, or coordinating multinational logistics and communications, every Airman proved vital to mission success. “We brought America’s best, and they proved it every single day,” said Chief Master Sgt. Andrew Small, 55th Wing command chief. “This team operated with heart, skill, and focus. From aircrew to defenders to maintainers, every Airman was mission essential, and every Airman delivered.” Integral to this success was the partnership with RAAF’s 10 Squadron, which hosted the 55th Wing at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Their operational partnership enabled seamless integration at every level. Just as pivotal was the support from RAAF’s 24 Squadron—the base’s operations and support unit—which provided essential logistics coordination, meals, security for the aircraft, and served as the connective tissue between the wing and every supporting entity on base. Without their tireless efforts, the 55th Wing could not have executed its mission on Australian soil. Their combined support strengthened interoperability and reaffirmed enduring bonds rooted in shared democratic values, common interests, and historic ties. The combined USAF–RAAF all call, featuring remarks from Col. Gray and Wing Commander Liam Colreavy, marked the formal conclusion of Talon Shield. Together, they celebrated the shared achievement and reaffirmed the strategic value of U.S.–Australian unity in a rapidly evolving security environment. “We came here with a mission,” Gray said, “and we’re leaving with proof that when called, the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth answers with strength, speed, and precision. The 55th Wing has demonstrated what being Relentless and Ready looks like.” Relentless & Ready.