Photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Amador Paulino | Nellis Air Force Base | 01.10.2026
U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron sits on the flightline in preparation for a training mission at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 10, 2026. The HC-130J conducts personnel recovery operations by providing command and control, aerial refueling of rescue aircraft, and airland and airdrop support for combat search and rescue, humanitarian......
Photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Amador Paulino | Nellis Air Force Base | 01.10.2026
U.S. Air Force Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, pilots an HC-130J Combat King II, assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 10, 2026. His example sets the standard for Airmen and reinforces a culture of readiness, ensuring the force is prepared to meet the challenges of both peacetime air sovereignty and wartime defense. (U.S.......
Photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Amador Paulino | Nellis Air Force Base | 01.10.2026
U.S. Air Force Maj Evan Forsthoefel,left, a pilot assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, and Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, pilots an HC-130J Combat King II, from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 10, 2026. By sustaining proficiency across multiple airframes, Spain demonstrates the importance of continuous readiness at every level of command. (U.S. Air Force......
Photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Amador Paulino | Nellis Air Force Base | 01.10.2026
U.S. Air Force Gen. Adrian L. Spain, left, commander of Air Combat Command, and Staff Sgt. Tory Steen, a loadmaster assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, observe the landscape in the Western region while seated on the ramp of an HC-130J Combat King II, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 10, 2026. The flight provided Spain first hand exposure to HC-130J operations at Nellis,......
Photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Amador Paulino | Nellis Air Force Base | 01.10.2026
U.S. Air Force Maj. Evan Forsthoefel, left, a pilot assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, and Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, check the instruments of an HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron as they ascend near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 10, 2026. In Spain’s initial letter to the ACC, he set clear expectations......
Photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Amador Paulino | Nellis Air Force Base | 01.10.2026
U.S. Air Force Maj. Evan Forsthoefel, left, a pilot assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, and Gen. Adrian Spain, commander of Air Combat Command, discuss flight procedures during a training mission in an HC-130J Combat King II, assigned to the 418th Test and Evaluation Squadron, near Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 10, 2026. By regularly training on systems outside of his......
Photo by Staff Sgt. Jose Miguel Tamondong | Nellis Air Force Base | 06.16.2025
Three U.S. Air Force pararescuemen exit the ramp of an HC-130J Combat King II at 6,000 feet above ground level during a PJ Rodeo over Jean Lake Bed, Nevada, June 16, 2025. The PJ Rodeo is a competition where pararescuemen from all major commands compete in events based on core pararescue mission sets like jumping, shooting, technical rescue and physical fitness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff......
Photo by Staff Sgt. Jose Miguel Tamondong | Nellis Air Force Base | 06.16.2025
U.S. Airmen from the 79th Rescue Squadron and 58th Rescue Squadron watch pararescuemen exit the ramp of an HC-130J Combat King II at 6,000 feet above ground level during a PJ Rodeo over Jean Lake Bed, Nevada, June 16, 2025. The PJ Rodeo is a competition where pararescuemen from all major commands compete in events based on core pararescue mission sets like jumping, shooting, technical rescue......
