U.S. military personnel and NATO forces execute operations during Exercise Cold Response 26, March 6-20, 2026. The Norwegian-led military exercise was held in northern Norway and parts of Sweden and Finland, and brought together more than 25,000 personnel from 14 Allied nations in a multi-week training operation designed to demonstrate the Alliance’s ability to deploy, integrate and sustain combat power. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff Sgt. Brooke Rogers and Airman 1st Class Antone Williams)
Airmen from Aviano Air Base’s 56th Rescue and Rescue Generation Squadrons and the 57th Rescue Squadron participated in Exercise Cold Response 26, a Norwegian-led training exercise designed to prepare NATO forces to operate effectively together in extreme cold-weather environments.
U.S. Air Force Major Melaine “HALO” Valentin was named the Air Force 2024 Fighter Flight Lead of the Year for her impact as an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot and leader while assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
The 31st Maintenance Group Country Teams received the 2025 Secretary of War Sustainment, Train, Advise, and Assist Award for strengthening partner-nation maintenance capabilities and enhancing NATO readiness across Europe throughout 2025.
The Country Teams, a section of the 31st MXG, is composed of 20 Airmen that specialize in providing support to seven specific partner nations.
