97TH CIVIL ENGINEER SQUADRON TURNS DEPLOYMENT LESSONS INTO READINESS TRAINING

RANDOLPH AFB, Texas, Oct. 16 -- The U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command issued the following news release:

The 97th Civil Engineer Squadron hosted a predeployment training exercise at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Oct. 6, 2026. The training was designed to bridge critical operational gaps and better prepare Airmen for the unique physical demands, tactical duties and mental stressors of an overseas deployment.

The trainers hosting this exercise addressed vital training gaps in which they identified while deployed.

"We aren't just looking to build skills," said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Keegan Hornaman, 97th CES project programmer. "We want to build critical thinkers who can adapt to any threat we may face in today's conflict ...