Photo By Senior Airman Michelle Ferrari | U.S. Air Force pararescuemen, assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron,...... read more read more
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Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa conducted an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise in the Union of the Comoros, Jan. 23–26, 2026. The rapid-response training event tested how quickly forces can prepare, deploy and begin operations during a crisis while practicing joint aviation deployment and strengthening regional partnerships across the Western Indian Ocean.
The exercise integrated U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey aircraft with KC-130J Super Hercules aerial refueling and airlift support, demonstrating CJTF-HOA’s ability to deploy forces over long distances and operate away from home base while rehearsing alert, marshal and launch procedures alongside personnel recovery and contingency response scenarios.
“The MV-22 Osprey is an extremely capable aircraft on its own,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Charles Russell, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced) pilot. “When integrated with the KC-130J, aerial refueling significantly expands our operational reach, allowing us to operate far beyond the aircraft’s organic range and respond wherever needed.”
Pararescue forces also closely trained with the aviation teams, improving their ability to recover personnel and evacuate casualties using landing, hoist or fast-rope methods.
While the aircraft demonstrated extended range and flexibility, mission success began on the flight line. Behind the scenes, maintainers ensured the aircraft were mission-ready by completing inspections, configuring systems and verifying communications before departure.
“The mission can’t be executed without the maintenance team,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Issachar Beechner, VMM-162 (Rein) MV-22B pilot. “There is absolute trust between pilots and maintainers. Our readiness depends on their precision.”
From avionics Marines verifying encrypted communications to crew chiefs configuring aircraft for specific mission sets, maintainers ensured readiness under compressed timelines.
“If we don’t know the mission, we can’t always do the maintenance to set up for it,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Victor Estes, VMM-162 (Rein) MV-22B crew chief. “We install what we need to make the aircraft as mission capable as possible.”
The coordination required between aircrew and maintainers extended beyond preflight inspections. That same level of coordination continued in the air, where multiple crews and aircraft worked together to execute the mission.
“The KC-130 and MV-22 together make an unbeatable team,” Russell said. “It takes precise coordination between the crew chiefs, loadmasters and pilots in both aircraft to make the mission successful.”
Beyond demonstrating aviation capability, the EDRE strengthened partnerships with the Comorian Defense Force as U.S. and Comorian service members trained side by side, exchanging best practices, synchronizing operational procedures and reinforcing shared security objectives while building relationships that enhance collective readiness and regional stability.
At the same time, U.S. Africa Command partnered with the French Armed Forces in the Mozambique Channel to conduct a maritime patrol. The French ship FS Floréal operated alongside MV-22B and KC-130J aircraft, highlighting multinational coordination in a key global trade route.
Exercises like this help maintain readiness, improve coordination with partners and ensure forces are prepared to respond to crises, humanitarian needs or security challenges in the region.
“This exercise demonstrates that CJTF-HOA remains ready, responsive and reliable,” Russell said. “Our ability to rapidly deploy combat-ready forces alongside trusted partners reinforces regional stability and ensures we can respond decisively to crisis or contingency.”
As aircraft departed Comoros at the conclusion of the exercise, the operation marking the completion of CJTF-HOA’s forward-deployed joint training in the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean.
| Date Taken: | 02.16.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.17.2026 12:23 |
| Story ID: | 558224 |
| Location: | KM |
| Web Views: | 21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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