Desert Forge 2026: Nevada National Guard Concludes Largest Statewide Exercise in Decades
NV – Desert Forge 2026 wrapped up June 18 after a 10-day rollout across Nevada, marking the largest and most complex Army-led exercise in the state in more than 25 years. The multi-agency exercise was designed to test and strengthen domestic emergency response capabilities, with a focus on resilience against a notional cyber-attack and related infrastructure disruptions.
The exercise brought together a broad array of Nevada National Guard units, including 17th Sustainment Brigade, the 757th CSSB, the 17th STB, Joint Force Headquarters; the 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced; the 991st Aviation Troop Command; Military Police; the 593rd Transportation Company; the 609th Engineers; the 121st Field Feeding Platoon; and the 106th Public Affairs Detachment. Other units that participated as key players from across the United States were the 304th Psychological Operations Company out of Sacramento and the Civil Affairs Teams from B Company, Salt Lake City, Utah, and C Company, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Across its phases, Desert Forge 2026 simulated telecommunications outages statewide and an attack on a power distribution station near Hawthorne by a violent extremist organization. In response, the Governor tasked the Nevada Army National Guard with re-establishing inter-agency communications and securing essential energy infrastructure.
The exercise emphasized interagency coordination, with partners from Fallon Naval Air Station and the U.S. Navy’s Resolute Hunter program, as well as collaborations with local hospitals and county emergency managers. By integrating civilian and military assets, Desert Forge 2026 aimed to validate domestic emergency response protocols and strengthen readiness for future contingencies.
Brig. Gen. Randy Lau, the Nevada Guard Land Component Commander, stated that “Desert Forge 26 was built on a simple belief: readiness is forged through action, not administration. We created a safe environment to make decisions under pressure, experiment, learn from mistakes, and adapt quickly, thereby encouraging disciplined initiative and continuous improvement. Progress over perfection strengthened both our formations and the judgment and resilience of leaders ready for tomorrow. Readiness isn’t achieved through compliance—it’s forged through friction, strengthened by adaptation, and sustained by leaders who learn faster than the challenges they face.”
Officials described the drill as the Nevada National Guard’s most expansive domestic exercise in recent history, aligning with an increased deployment tempo, with more than 500 soldiers slated for overseas service this year. Desert Forge 2026 also served as a proving ground for evolving strategic priorities as Guard units prepare for a broader role in national defense and disaster response.
Looking ahead, Nevada National Guard leadership announced that the state will host Vigilant Guard 2027, a full-scale exercise intended to ensure robust coordination among local, state, private sector, non-governmental organizations, and federal partners in the face of complex emergencies.