Beverly Sunrise 25-03: All In, Nothing Less Published March 20, 2025 By U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Ericka A. Woolever 35th Fighter Wing MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan – Airmen assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing (FW), alongside joint partners, executed Beverly Sunrise 25-03, a full-spectrum readiness exercise designed to strengthen operational capabilities, enhance Mission Ready Airmen (MRA) proficiency, and reinforce the wing’s ability to project combat airpower in a contested environment. From the moment the exercise began, the base transformed into a forward operating location, testing every aspect of wartime execution. “This exercise pushed us to operate as we would in a real conflict, under pressure, with possible limited resources and communication,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. David Najera, 35th FW command chief. “The Airmen of The Weasel Nation have demonstrated mission command, where every unit played a critical role in ensuring that we could sustain combat operations and respond effectively, no matter the conditions.” Aircraft were launched, maintained and recovered in high-tempo scenarios. Even as the pace intensified, Misawa Air Base’s maintainers remained the backbone of sustained combat airpower, keeping aircraft mission-ready by rapidly generating sorties, troubleshooting issues in real-time, and executing critical repairs. A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 13th Fighter Generation Squadron prepares to load munitions during Beverly Sunrise 25-03 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 20, 2025. Airmen conduct high-tempo, real-world scenarios, from emergency response to sustainment operations, ensuring uninterrupted support and mission readiness under pressure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “Combat doesn’t stop, and neither do we,” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Kodie Bellury, 35th Maintenance Group maintenance director. “The 35th Maintenance Group is a relentless force that executes on all fronts. Our maintainers are cut from a different cloth and are vital to our operations. We jump on opportunities to think outside the box, perform preventative maintenance and train effectively. Our dedication and our ability to rapidly regenerate airpower, despite the odds, is what makes us lethal.” At the core of this exercise was the MRA concept, ensuring forces remained mobile, flexible and resilient in any environment. To bring this strategy to life, Airmen executed spoke operations, dispersing personnel and assets to simulate a forward-deployed environment while maintaining the ability to generate combat power at a moment’s notice. U.S. Air Force Airmen, assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing Mission Ready Airman (MRA) program, move a tent cover during spoke teardown as part of the Beverly Sunrise 25-03 exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 18, 2025. Through continuous exercises, Airmen refine their warfighting capabilities, ensuring PACAF’s ability to deliver decisive airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Koby Mitchell) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “Operational success in today’s environment requires Airmen to think beyond their individual Air Force Specialty Codes,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dustin Smith, 35th FW ACE Plans and Programs manager. “By working in integrated teams across multiple specialties, we enhance our collective capability and agility. This exercise showcased our Airmen’s ability to adapt, collaborate and execute tasks outside their primary roles, demonstrating the strength of a unified, multi-capable force.” The exercise challenged every aspect of base operations, requiring continuous synchronization across mission-essential units. The 35th Security Forces eliminated simulated threats, while the 35th Logistics Readiness and Civil Engineer Squadrons kept supplies moving and rapidly built and restored infrastructure. Meanwhile, the 35th Force Support Squadron sustained operations, managing casualty care, transportation, notifications, and real-world food services to keep Airmen mission-ready. U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Adrian Bulatao, 35th Security Forces Squadron installations entry controller, aims a M4 carbine rifle at opposing forces (OPFOR) during the Beverly Sunrise 25-03 exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 20, 2025. Security Forces Airmen engage with OPFOR in realistic threat scenarios, sharpening their ability to detect, deter, and neutralize adversaries before they can disrupt operations, ensuring the 35th Fighter Wing remains mission-ready at all times. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Andre Medina) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “Beverly Sunrise 25-03 demonstrated the full scope of our operational capability,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Davidson, 35th FW commander. “We deliberately pushed our forces to ensure we can sustain combat operations, adapt to evolving threats, and project airpower whenever and wherever needed.” The exercise tested crisis response capabilities, demanding responders to operate in high-stress conditions. Post Attack Reconnaissance (PAR) teams were the first on the ground, sweeping the base to identify hazards, assess damage, and locate injured personnel in a degraded environment. Once threats were located, Explosive Ordnance Disposal moved in to assess, neutralize and safely remove simulated unexploded ordnances, ensuring the safety of personnel and mission-critical assets. A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight rigs a simulated drone with detonation equipment during Beverly Sunrise 25-03 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 18, 2025. Continuous exercises like Beverly Sunrise sharpen operational effectiveness, reinforcing the 35th Fighter Wing’s combat superiority and readiness to respond to any threat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Russell) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The PAR teams also played a vital role in casualty response. Upon locating injured personnel, they quickly transitioned to Tactical Combat Casualty Care, providing critical medical aid to stabilize the wounded and sustain life in austere conditions. “The ability to provide rapid, life-saving care in any environment is essential to keeping forces in the fight,” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt Michelle Guilford, 35th Medical Readiness Flight commander. “One of the desired learning objectives was Medical Continuity of Operations. Training like this ensures we can stabilize, treat, and evacuate wounded personnel under any conditions, no matter the challenge.” Operating in an entirely unfamiliar location, medical teams had to build their entire facility from the ground up, transforming an empty structure into a fully functional treatment center. They rapidly established decontamination tents, triage areas and critical care stations, bringing in all necessary medical equipment, and configuring life-saving operations on-site. This high-intensity scenario tested their ability to adapt, innovate and sustain combat medical support in extreme conditions, reinforcing their role as a force multiplier. U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 35th Medical Group prepare to transport a simulated victim during a mass casualty exercise as part of Beverly Sunrise 25-03 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, March 17, 2025. Beverly Sunrise is a critical readiness exercise that enhances the 35th Fighter Wing’s ability to respond to real-world contingencies, ensuring medical personnel are prepared to provide life-saving care in austere conditions while reinforcing U.S. commitment to regional stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman William Rodriguez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “We had to be completely self-sufficient; no existing infrastructure, no pre-set conditions, just our training and equipment,” said Guilford. “This exercise proved that no matter where we operate, we can rapidly establish medical capabilities and provide life-saving care in the most challenging environments.” Additionally, communications teams established resilient networks to maintain command and control, ensuring operational continuity even under simulated cyber threats and electromagnetic interference. “Delivering and securing communication in contested environments is just as critical as any other combat capability,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Troy M. Gant, 35th Communications Squadron senior enlisted leader. “This training ensures we can operate through cyber and electromagnetic interference, keeping decision-makers informed and able to attack to defend.” Beverly Sunrise 25-03 was more than an exercise, it was a deliberate demonstration of the 35th FW’s ability to deter aggression, defend our allies and partners, and, if necessary, defeat any threat to U.S. interests while maintaining a credible, combat-ready force and upholding a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. “We train this way because readiness is not optional,” said Col. Paul Davidson. “The Indo-Pacific is evolving, and so are the threats we face. Our Airmen are prepared to deter, defend, and, if called upon, fight and win, because the mission demands nothing less.” U.S. Air Force Logo