Patriot Warrior 2021: Reservists accelerate readiness at AFRC's premier exercise

Maj. Aaron Sanchez, 815th Airlift Squadron pilot assigned to the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, flies a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Fort McCoy Army Airfield for aeromedical evacuation training during exercise Patriot Warrior at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 14, 2021. Patriot Warrior is the Air Force Reserve Command's premier exercise providing Airmen an opportunity to train with joint and international partners in airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and mobility support. The exercise builds on capabilities for the future fight, increasing the readiness, lethality and agility of the Air Force Reserve. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Corban Lundborg)

A U.S. Air Force maintainer inspects a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 403rd Wing's 815th Airlift Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, prior to aerial operations during exercise Patriot Warrior at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 13, 2021. Patriot Warrior is Air Force Reserve Command's premier exercise providing Airmen an opportunity to train with joint and international partners in airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and mobility support. The exercise builds on capabilities for the future fight, increasing the readiness, lethality and agility of the Air Force Reserve. (Tech. Sgt. Corban Lundborg)

Senior Airman Arielle Maes, an aeromedical evacuation technician with the 34th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Peterson AFB, Colorado, prepares medical equipment during aeromedical evacuation training during Patriot Warrior 2021. Patriot Warrior is Air Force Reserve Command's premier exercise, providing Airmen an opportunity to train with joint and international partners in airlift, aeromedical evacuation and mobility support. The exercise builds on capabilities for the future fight, increasing the readiness, lethality and agility of the Air Force Reserve. (Tech. Sgt. Corban Lundborg)

U.S. Air Force Citizen Airmen arrive at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin for a two week training exercise, Aug. 9, 2021. Patriot Warrior, one of the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command’s largest field training exercises, simulates a combat environment to provide Citizen Airmen experience working in deployed conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shelton Sherrill)

Reserve Citizen Airmen arrive at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, for Patriot Warrior 2021. Patriot Warrior is Air Force Reserve Command's premier exercise, providing Airmen an opportunity to train with joint and international partners in airlift, aeromedical evacuation and mobility support. The exercise builds on capabilities for the future fight, increasing the readiness, lethality and agility of the Air Force Reserve. (Staff Sgt. Shelton Sherrill)

Master Sgt. Carla Thornton, 556th Red Horse Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, receives M4 rifle familiarization training during Patriot Warrior 2021. Patriot Warrior is Air Force Reserve Command's premier exercise, providing Airmen an opportunity to train with joint and international partners in airlift, aeromedical evacuation and mobility support. The exercise builds on capabilities for the future fight, increasing the readiness, lethality and agility of the Air Force Reserve. (Staff Sgt. Shelton Sherrill)

Staff Sgt. Laura Artega, a flight medical technician with the 934th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, Minnesota, prepares for patient loading during Patriot Warrior 2021. Patriot Warrior is Air Force Reserve Command's premier exercise, providing Airmen an opportunity to train with joint and international partners in airlift, aeromedical evacuation and mobility support. The exercise builds on capabilities for the future fight, increasing the readiness, lethality and agility of the Air Force Reserve.(Staff. Sgt. Alexis Suarez)