SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- In an unparalleled display of Total Force Integration and multinational cooperation, the 305th Air Mobility Wing assembled and led the largest-ever Mission Generation Force Element to support Bamboo Eagle since the establishment of the U.S. Air Force’s Air Force Force Generation model. Operating around the clock from Mather Airport in Sacramento, California, the integrated KC-46 team generated 89 missions, offloading 4.54 million pounds of fuel to propel Combat Air Force aircraft, the Joint Force, and allied partners forward—shortening the long-range kill chain and extending global reach.
The U.S. Air Force’s advanced combat readiness exercise returned for its fourth iteration, featuring more than 175 aircraft and 10,000 personnel from four nations, multiple U.S. Air Force major commands and the Joint Force. Like previous iterations, Bamboo Eagle 25-1 followed the Red Flag exercise, pushing the limits of tactics, technology and teamwork through coordinated, multi-domain operations in a contested, high-threat environment. The exercise provided a crucial testing arena to refine lethal capabilities 24 hours a day for eight days straight, preparing U.S. and allied forces to dominate any fight, anywhere.
The ‘Can Do’ wing has served as a lead tanker fleet in every iteration since the exercise’s inception in August 2023, consistently pushing the boundaries of KC-46A Pegasus aircraft tactics, techniques and procedures. At each exercise, warfighters from the 305th AMW tested and fielded innovations such as KC-46 connectivity with other aircraft and ground stations—linking, fueling and maneuvering the Joint Force and allies to the forward edge of the fight while shortening the kill chain.
“Bamboo Eagle provides a combat representative environment with dynamic taskings and opportunities to increase readiness while advancing connectivity initiatives.” said U.S. Air Force Col. Kathleen Hasson, 305th AMW commander. “I’m proud of our team who led the charge and grateful for the total force effort, and our allies and mission partners who integrated seamlessly as one team.”
The BE 25-1 tanker force element was comprised of 11 KC-46s operating in three disaggregated, austere locations and 241 Total Force personnel from 25 different squadrons across six active duty and Air National Guard wings, as well as RAAF personnel. Building upon Red Flag, BE 25-1 brought together allied forces from Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom to refine tactics and strengthen operational partnerships. These efforts elevated the collective combat capability of all participating forces, ensuring a unified coalition prepared to meet the evolving landscape of warfare with precision and lethality.
“It was an honor to lead and work side-by-side in the trenches with our best and brightest KC-46 aircrew, support and maintenance warfighters from the 305th AMW, 22nd Air Refueling Wing, 60th Air Mobility Wing, the Air National Guard’s 108th Wing, 87th Air Base Wing, 621st Contingency Response Wing and Royal Australian Air Force,” stated U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Lasorda, KC-46 MFGE commander during BE 25-1. “Our unified team of warfighters from six wings dynamically projected airpower and delivered combat-winning effects through innovation and agile maneuver. Our Airmen and allies executed with relentless precision. From nonstop tanker operations to cutting-edge air refueling tactics and innovations, this team proved that when the call comes, we dominate. The KC-46 isn’t just part of the fight, we’re redefining how it’s won.”
The 305th AMW partnered with the 621st CRW, deploying together to set up a bare-bones expeditionary base simulating real-world combat conditions. The KC-46 team achieved the highest mission completion rate of all participating MFGE during BE 25-1, all while generating aircraft in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) protective gear with limited supplies and infrastructure.
"Every time a KC-46 hit the deck, my team’s plan was already in motion to get it turned in time for the next sortie,” shared U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Zawistowski, 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron senior enlisted leader. “Our maintainers never let up. Every member of the team had a critical role in our success. We had supply Airmen marshalling aircraft, jet mechanics moving cargo, and logistics Airmen manning radios. They weren’t just repairing jets, they were keeping the fight in the air, proving that lethal airpower starts on the ground.”
The 305th AMW and the RAAF also partnered to push the boundaries of aerial refueling capabilities in the KC-46. A historic milestone was reached when they executed low-altitude aerial refueling missions with a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the 62nd Airlift Wing. The event marked a critical step in developing air refueling tactics for contested, high-threat environments.
"Executing this maneuver wasn’t just about testing our capabilities—it was about proving the strength of our alliance in action,” said Flight Lieutenant Kristen Crick, a RAAF exchange instructor pilot. “Flying alongside the 32nd ARS and conducting the Royal Australian Air Force’s first-ever low-level aerial refueling in the KC-46 was a defining moment. It showcased the trust, precision and interoperability we’ve built together, ensuring that when the time comes, we fight as one, with seamless execution."
For the KC-46 team, BE 25-1 was more than an exercise—it was a proving ground for the next generation of airpower dominance. As the exercise concluded, one message was clear: the unified team of KC-46 wings, alongside their allies, remains primed to deliver combat airpower and mobility forces whenever and wherever needed.