Photo By Master Sgt. Duane Duimstra | An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 114th Fighter Wing prepares to land during...... read more read more
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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The 114th Fighter Wing completed Operation EDGECRUSHER, a Combat Readiness Inspection, or CRI, Aug. 3-9, 2026, testing Airmen at Joe Foss Field, alternate training locations in South Dakota and contingency locations in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The weeklong inspection tested the wing’s ability to shift from steady-state operations to a wartime posture while generating, defending and sustaining combat airpower in a contested and degraded environment.
“EDGECRUSHER demonstrated that the wing is ready for the fight,” said Col. Jon Friedman, commander of the 114th Fighter Wing. “We generated aircraft, executed command and control, sustained operations and responded to realistic injects with the speed and clarity expected of a combat unit. The inspection confirmed we are not a paper tiger. We are warriors trained for war, built on disciplined, innovative execution and Airmen who know their craft.”
Throughout the inspection, Airmen responded to injects designed to challenge decision-making, communication and mission execution, including simulated threats to the installation, small unmanned aircraft system, or sUAS, activity, degraded communications, personnel deployment processing, munitions operations and aircraft generation.
Led by the 114th Fighter Wing Inspector General office, the inspection used those injects to assess how Airmen performed key mission tasks under pressure and give leaders a clearer view of what worked well and what can be improved.
“The goal is for Airmen to walk away with tactical proficiency, better awareness of risk and resources, and a culture of continuous improvement,” said Master Sgt. Ryan Bak, an inspection coordinator with the 114th Fighter Wing Inspector General office. “We want Airmen to understand where friction points exist so the wing can keep improving.”
Local, military and industry partners supported the exercise by operating sUAS at Joe Foss Field and Volk Field, Wisconsin, contributing to a training environment that reflected the kind of activity Air Force installations encounter today.
“The ability to execute the mission under increasing drone threats is an important skill tested during the CRI,” said Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Malmberg, plans and programs superintendent with the 114th Security Forces Squadron. “Realistic scenarios allowed us to pressure test competence in both simple and complex tasks while dealing with this modern battlefield threat.”
The broader inspection also pushed the wing beyond its primary installation and tested its ability to support multiple mission sets at the same time. Approximately 50 miles south of Sioux Falls, Airmen generated a National Guard Reaction Force while the wing continued mission requirements, testing the unit’s ability to support domestic response tasks without losing focus on federal readiness.
At Volk Field, Wisconsin, Airmen exercised Agile Combat Employment concepts by generating aircraft for movement to contingency locations in Madison, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota. The movements tested the wing’s ability to reposition combat power, sustain operations and adapt when the mission required aircraft and resources to move beyond home station.
“EDGECRUSHER proved the wing can balance dual-mission demands without losing momentum,” Friedman said. “We maintained alert posture, supported domestic operations and executed federal readiness tasks at the same time, showing the 114th can surge for combat while answering the call from the governor, adjutant general and national leadership.”
Across the wing and alternate locations, Airmen had to stay connected, maintain accountability and keep the mission moving as conditions changed. Security Forces Airmen conducted patrols and responded to simulated incidents, while maintenance, operations and logistics Airmen generated and sustained F-16 Fighting Falcon sorties.
Civil engineer and communications Airmen supported installation response, recovery and command and control through degraded conditions, while Force Support, medical and public affairs Airmen supported accountability, response operations, commander communication and verified public information.
“The exercise pushed Force Support across a wide spectrum of operations,” said Chief Master Sgt. Trish Heng, senior enlisted leader of the 114th Force Support Squadron. “It tested our ability to rapidly process deployers, support mass feeding and lodging, and maintain strict personnel accountability, all in a chaotic environment. It also challenged our team with heavy, high-stress scenarios like search and recovery and mortuary affairs Our team proved they could handle that immense pressure from every angle.”
Operation EDGECRUSHER reinforced the wing’s role as a combat-ready F-16 unit capable of supporting state and federal missions. For the 114th Fighter Wing, the inspection served as both a test and a training opportunity, identifying strengths, exposing friction points and sharpening the wing’s ability to operate through disruption.
“The inspection wasn’t a culminating point; it was another step in continuing the legacy of excellence started by Brig. Gen. Joe Foss,” Friedman said. “Where friction appeared, we’ll streamline. We’ll strengthen training, sharpen command and control, and continue to raise the Lobo Standard.”
Lessons from Operation EDGECRUSHER will help shape future training, planning and readiness as the 114th Fighter Wing continues building the habits, discipline and adaptability required to meet future mission demands.
| Date Taken: | 08.13.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2026 18:02 |
| Story ID: | 572476 |
| Location: | SOUTH DAKOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 25 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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