Photo By Master Sgt. Carlin Leslie | A U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules assigned to the 187th Airlift Squadron, 153rd Airlift...... read more read more
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Over the past several months, the "Flying Jennies" of the 815th Airlift Squadron, an Air Force Reserve Command unit based at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, flew critical intra-theater airlift, cargo movement, and medical evacuation missions across the Horn of Africa. Now their watch is over as a new unit takes over the responsibility of airlift for the 406th Air Expeditionary Wing.
The 187th Airlift Squadron, a Wyoming Air National Guard unit based at the 153rd Airlift Wing in Cheyenne, Wyoming, officially assumed the 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and took on its mission to sustain power projection across the region on Sept. 9, 2026.
“With the proud heritage of Wyoming’s ‘Yellowtails’ behind us, our Airmen are ready to build on the outstanding foundation laid by the 815th,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tony Silva, incoming commander of the 75th EAS. “We are focused on delivering tactical airlift, strengthening partnerships across East Africa, and fulfilling the National Guard’s promise to the nation: Always Ready, Always There.”
The yellow tail on the aircraft is a longstanding tradition of the 153rd AW, representing Wyoming’s colors on every flight, deployment, and temporary duty assignment. That heritage and drive will add to the heritage of the 449th Air Expeditionary Group and the important mission they fulfill with units like the 75th EAS.
The 815th AS accomplished critical airlift support not just the 406th AEW, but in support of Joint and combined forces across East Africa fueling African partner led and U.S. enabled operations and training in support of a secure, stable and prosperous African continent.
“Team Keesler drove historic tactical airlift operations under the 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, executing 151 missions, 592 combat and support sorties, and over 1,000 flight hours with a 99% mission capability rate,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Stephanie Brown, outbound 75th EAS commander. “The Airmen also safely transported 2.5K passengers and a record-breaking 4.2M pounds of mission-critical cargo, which was a massive airlift feat, showcasing elite combat capability and a relentless operational tempo.” The transition ensured the uninterrupted delivery of base operating support and tactical force protection for U.S. Forces in the region.
Operating the C-130H Hercules, the incoming Wyoming Airmen are task-organized, taking off immediately to provide rapid response capabilities and theater security cooperation support.
| Date Taken: | 09.16.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.17.2026 08:17 |
| Story ID: | 574958 |
| Location: | DJ |
| Hometown: | CHEYENNE, WYOMING, US |
| Web Views: | 16 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Welcome the Yellow Tails to the skies of East Africa, by MSgt Carlin Leslie, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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