MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — Airmen from March Air Reserve Base supported Operation Windlord, a multi-unit, interagency mission transporting a next-generation nuclear reactor aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from March ARB to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 14-15, 2026.
The operation began at March ARB, where Airmen assigned to the 452d Air Mobility Wing, including the 452d Logistics Readiness Squadron and 452d Aerial Port Squadron Flight, prepared, inspected and loaded the reactor for transport. The aircraft departed March on Feb. 14 and arrived at Hill AFB the following day.
Strategic airlift support was provided by the 437th Airlift Wing and the 62nd Airlift Wing, both assigned to Air Mobility Command, and the 15th Wing, Pacific Air Forces.
At Hill AFB, participating organizations included the 75th Air Base Wing and the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, both assigned to Air Force Materiel Command; the 388th Fighter Wing, assigned to Air Combat Command; the 419th Fighter Wing, Air Force Reserve Command; and the 151st Air Refueling Wing, Utah Air National Guard. Aerial port support at Hill included 2T2 Airmen from the 67th Aerial Port Squadron, 419th Fighter Wing, and the 151st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Utah Air National Guard, demonstrating a Total Force operation integrating active-duty, Reserve and Air National Guard components.
Lt. Col. Matt Herzberg, C-17 mission commander assigned to the 15th Airlift Squadron, 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, said the mission underscored the importance of interagency and cross-component integration.
“It is a true honor to be involved with a project that has such game changing strategic potential and to integrate with a top notch cross-department team to prove what’s possible,” Herzberg said.
The Ward 250 reactor, a containerized 5-megawatt system, is designed to provide deployable energy capability and will undergo testing and evaluation at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab as part of a Department of War and Department of Energy partnership.
Maj. Edward Bobbett, commander of the 452d Logistics Readiness Squadron, said Operation Windlord reflects March ARB’s role in national-level missions.
“Our Airmen executed complex logistics operations with precision and professionalism to ensure this critical asset was safely prepared, inspected and loaded for transport,” Bobbett said. “March continues to serve as a national power projection platform, supporting all services, allied partners and innovation organizations as we deliver strategic capability when and where it’s needed.”
Operation Windlord demonstrated the ability of March ARB Airmen to integrate logistics, aerial port and strategic airlift capabilities in support of advanced technology initiatives and national defense objectives.