Exercise Desert Dragon

U.S. Airmen from the 14th Air Support Operation Squadron and U.S. soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare to conduct exercise Desert Dragon in Pearce, Arizona, July 31, 2025. 14th ASOS Airmen conducted joint training with Army personnel to master air-to-ground integration and enhance operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jaden Kidd)

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Exercise Desert Dragon

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Benetti, 14th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller, left, works with U.S. Army Capt. Mohamed Elmaola, 2nd Battalion, 12 Infantry Regiment, 4 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division battalion airborne operations officer, right, during exercise Desert Dragon in Pearce, Arizona, July 31, 2025. JTACs are trained to convey targets and relay battlespace awareness to pilots conducting close air support or other similar combat operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jaden Kidd)

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Exercise Desert Dragon

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Benetti, 14th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller, uses communication equipment during exercise Desert Dragon in Pearce, Arizona, July 31, 2025. Benetti acted as the link between two ground force commanders and an aircraft pilot to accomplish exercise objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jaden Kidd)

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Exercise Desert Dragon

U.S. Airmen from the 14th Air Support Operation Squadron and U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, assess the damage from a simulated airstrike during exercise Desert Dragon in Pearce, Arizona, July 31, 2025.14th ASOS Airmen conducted joint training with Army personnel to master air-to-ground integration and enhance operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jaden Kidd)

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Exercise Desert Dragon

U.S. Airmen assigned to 14th Air Support Operation Squadron and U.S. Army soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, walk back to base after a successful exercise in Pearce, Arizona, July 31, 2025. Air Force joint terminal attack controllers and Army personnel conducted joint training to develop and improve air-to-ground integration in a simulated contested environment and enhanced joint and total force operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jaden Kidd)

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Exercise Desert Dragon

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Bechtold, 14th Air Support Operation Squadron flight chief, relays orders to a joint terminal attack controller during exercise Desert Dragon in Pearce, Arizona, July 31, 2025. Bechtold tested and evaluated JTACs’ ability to communicate between different parties during the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jaden Kidd)

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Exercise Desert Dragon

SSgt David Shisler, 14th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller, observes his evaluation during exercise Desert Dragon in Pearce, Arizona, July 31, 2025. Exercise Desert Dragon provided JTACs an opportunity to apply their skills in the field and to accomplish yearly training requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jaden Kidd)

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Exercise Desert Dragon

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Bechtold, 14th Air Support Operation Squadron flight chief, watches an aircraft pilot conduct a show of force after exercise Desert Dragon in Pearce, Arizona, July 31, 2025. Exercise Desert Dragon provided JTACs an opportunity to apply their skills in the field and to accomplish yearly training requirements. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jaden Kidd)

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Exercise Desert Dragon

Published Aug. 5, 2025

PEARCE, Ariz. -- U.S. Airmen from the 14th Air Support Operation Squadron and U.S. soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare to conduct exercise Desert Dragon in Pearce, Arizona, July 31, 2025. 14th ASOS Airmen conducted joint training with Army personnel to master air-to-ground integration and enhance operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jaden Kidd)