DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Airmen assigned to the 355th Wing participated in the Advanced Ready Training-Core (ART-C) course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Aug. 3-7, 2026. The course provided hands-on training designed to strengthen deployment readiness and prepare Airmen for the challenges they may encounter in contested environments.
Throughout the course, participants were immersed in realistic, scenario-based training focused on developing mission-essential skills. Training events included weapons sustainment, tactical combat casualty care, force protection procedures, base defense operations, casualty recovery under fire, escalation of force and communication skills. The course challenged Airmen to apply critical thinking, communicate effectively and work as cohesive teams while operating in demanding environments.
“The training helped better prepare our Airmen to deploy and respond to any situation they may encounter,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jared Jones, ART-C course instructor assigned to the 421st Combat Training Squadron. “Some individuals had never been through this type of training before, while others had completed similar courses years ago. It challenged them and showed them what they were capable of while teaching them how to properly respond.”
The course also supported Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) 2.0 priorities by allowing units to train together on deployment-related skills before entering the deployment phase of the Air Force Force Generation (AFFORGEN) cycle. According to Jones, training alongside fellow unit members helped build trust and confidence while reinforcing the importance of teamwork in operational environments.
“The course reinforced the importance of relying on your training and trusting the people around you,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Maria Schuster, 355th Comptroller Squadron financial management supervisor. “The scenarios challenged us to make decisions, communicate effectively and work together under pressure, which ultimately strengthened our confidence as a team.”
“One of the biggest things we look for is how much participants grow throughout the course,” Jones said. “It's rewarding to watch Airmen come in unsure of how to respond in certain situations and leave with the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to operate effectively in expeditionary environments.”
By providing realistic, mission-focused training, the ART-C course strengthened the 355th Wing's ability to generate deployment-ready Airmen equipped with the skills, confidence and teamwork necessary to support mission requirements worldwide.