Features

Operation Varsity 26-1 strengthens 86th Airlift Wing readiness

by Airman 1st Class  Joseph Curzi
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
November 13, 2026
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 86th Security Forces Squadron, perform a building sweep for simulated threats during Operation Varsity-26 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 27, 2026. The exercise tested the defenders’ ability to rapidly identify, isolate and neutralize simulated threats while safeguarding personnel and maintaining installation security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paden Lancaster)

86th Airlift Wing personnel tested the installation’s ability to respond to emergency scenarios and operate under varying force protection conditions during exercise Operation Varsity 26-1, Oct. 26-29.

The four-day exercise challenged the 86th Airlift Wing and its geographically separated units to emphasize deliberate execution over speed alone, encouraging Airmen to work through procedural challenges, communicate across organizations and apply critical thinking. The scenarios also provided opportunities to assess and identify process improvement.

“Operation Varsity requires collaboration and integration to achieve Ramstein’s mission of power projection. By focusing on foundational readiness while employing sound decisions, our Airmen find solutions to keeping the Global Gateway operating,” said Col. Matthew Wunderlich, 86th Operations Group commander. “We need our Airmen to respond to emergencies and keep our mission moving regardless of obstacle or challenge.”

U.S. Air Force Firefighters assigned to the 86th Civil Engineer Group, conduct decontamination procedures while responding to a Major Accident Response Exercise during Operation Varsity-26 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 28, 2026. Proper decontamination procedures help prevent secondary exposure and ensure emergency responders can safely transition between contaminated and uncontaminated environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paden Lancaster)

Operating as the Global Gateway for U.S. and allied operations in Europe, Ramstein Air Base remains postured to respond to emergencies while sustaining time-sensitive operational demands.

“Readiness requires the ability to execute the mission while working through the unexpected,” Wunderlich said. “Our teams must think critically, communicate across organizations, and build solutions to keep the mission moving.”

The 86th Airlift Wing Inspector General office support the exercise’s evaluation objectives by assessing performance, identifying area for improvement and capturing lessons to inform future training.

U.S. Air Force Firefighters assigned to the 86th Civil Engineer Group, carry equipment while responding to a Major Accident Response Exercise during Operation Varsity-26 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 28, 2026. OV-26 provided personnel an opportunity to practice contamination control measures essential to protecting individuals and sustaining emergency response capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paden Lancaster)

“An exercise is only valuable if we take an honest look at our performance and use what we learn to get better,” said Master Sgt. Jerrod Short, 86th Airlift Wing Inspector readiness superintendent. “This gives our Airmen the opportunity to strengthen procedures, improve integration and prepare for the next challenge.”

OV 26-1 reinforced the wing’s commitment to a warrior ethos mindset by empowering Airmen to solve problems, strengthening partnerships and sustaining mission generation amid uncertainty.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Zebulun Hart, 86th Security Forces military working dog handler, and Senior Airman Christopher Hionidis, 86th SFS patrolman, are evaluated on their building sweep procedures during Operation Varsity-26 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Oct. 27, 2026. The exercise evaluated installation lockdown procedures, emergency communications and coordinated security responses designed to protect personnel and preserve mission readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paden Lancaster)
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