Sentry Aloha 26-1

The first edition of Sentry Aloha 2026 (26-1) begins this week. Hosted by the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 154th Wing, several other Air National Guard units from across the country will participate in this air combat simulation exercise.

One of the fighter units participating is the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 176th Fighter Squadron "Badgers" / 115th Fighter Wing, and their F-35A Lightning IIs. The other fighter unit is the 122nd Fighter Squadron / 159th Fighter Wing "Bayou Militia" of the Louisiana Air National guard. Hawker Hunters from ATAC are also participating.

Also participating are KC-135R units are from the Wisconsin Air National Guard (126th Air Refueling Squadron / 128th Air Refueling Wing) and the Nebraska Air National Guard (155th Air Refueling Wing). C-130Hs from the Wyoming Air National Guard (187th Airlift Squadron / 153rd Airlift Wing), and E-3Gs from the 970th Airborne Air Control Squadron / 513th Air Control Wing, and 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron / 3rd Wing.

Further information in this Hawai‘i Department of Defense press release.

US Air Force's 59-1471

On of the 116th Air Refueling Squadron / 141st Air Refueling Wing's KC-135Ts, 59-1471 (c/n 17959, l/n 374), is participating in Sentry Aloha 25-1. This Stratotanker is painted in a commemorative livery celebrating "100 Years of Flight", is part of the Washington Air National Guard unit based at Fairchild AFB.

Sentry Aloha 24-2

The Hawai‘i Air National Guard is hosting Sentry Aloha 24-2. This exercise, that begins today, and runs until mid-June, has units from the host 154th Wing, along with the following units:

F-16s from the 195th FS, Arizona Air National Guard;

F-16s from the 115th FS, Wisconsin Air National Guard;

A-10Cs from the 47th FS, Air Force Reserve Command;

F-35As from the 442nd TES; and 

F-16s from the 119th FS, New Jersey Air National Guard.

There are also various tanker assets participating as well. NGF is hosting a couple of units, as well as KOA.

Interesting factoid, the 47th FS has its roots in Hawai‘i, as it began its service in 1940 as the 47th Pursuit Squadron. It was based at Wheeler Army Air Field, as part of the 15th Pursuit Group. The 47th fighters were able to down eight Japanese Navy aircraft on 07 Dec 1941. The unit was active for World War II in the Pacific Theater, but after the war ended, it was deactivated in 1946. The unit was reactivated as the 47th Fighter Squadron in 1952, and based in Niagara Falls, New York