DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- 355th Wing Drone Innovation Cell Airmen conducted a small unmanned aircraft system exercise that simulated a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attack on a military installation during Mosaic Lightning 26-2 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, May 8, 2026.
Mosaic Lightning 26-2 is a combat readiness exercise that assesses the wing’s ability to rapidly mobilize, deploy, and sustain operations in contested environments, ensuring operational capability under pressure.
This exercise in particular tests out the Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) 2.0 concept, delivering a standalone wing-echelon capability during the scenario. This concept synthesizes modular capabilities-based force packages with a command-and-control (C2) element, preserves the expertise and coordination provided through groups, and provides consistently organized high-end combat capability.
The small unmanned aircraft system exercise within Mosaic Lightning 26-2 tested the installation’s ability to detect and respond to simulated CBRN attacks delivered by a commercial-off-the-shelf unmanned aircraft system while coordinating with multiple response teams.
“This could not have been done alone,” said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Peterson, 48th Rescue Squadron cyber transport technician. “Having the base coming together and embrace innovation was a huge success.”
Airmen acting as an opposing threat launched small unmanned aircraft systems from concealed locations around the installation using environmentally safe training payloads designed to replicate real-world attack conditions.
Airmen assigned to the 355th Security Forces Squadron and 355th Civil Engineer Squadron worked together throughout the exercise to evaluate and respond to the situation.
“We’re trying to give DM the realistic training needed so that we can be ready for the fight,” said Peterson.
The exercise also highlighted the role of grassroots innovation across the Air Force since the operation was made possible through collaboration between Airmen and Wing leadership willing to embrace calculated risk and develop new capabilities internally.
This biannual wing-wide combat readiness exercise pushes the wings’ operational effectiveness and readiness to the edge using complex scenarios of modern warfare. Mosaic Lightning 26-2 prepares Airmen to counter evolving threats while showcasing the innovation and talent already present within the force.
“When leadership is willing to cultivate talent and embrace innovation, we’re able to drive historic events like this,” Peterson said.