126th ARW uses total force integration to dominate nuclear response drill during certification course

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - This week, the 126th Air Refueling Wing led a series of nuclear response drills for a nuclear mission certification course.

The two-week certification course aimed to ensure aircrews were certified to conduct refueling missions supporting America’s nuclear triad.

Maj. Micah Newmann, 126th ARW chief of plans and programs, headed the effort and oversaw the entire certification course for the involved aircrew.

“The training our personnel are going through right now is eye-opening,” said Newmann. “It's a firehose of information for these crews that have not been previously exposed to nuclear operations, and it's a lot to take in.“

Over 60 total-force personnel from the 126th ARW, 906th Air Refueling Squadron and 108th Air Refueling Squadron participated in the training. Other training phases included a simulator flight, classroom presentations, and a briefing to the 126th ARW commander.

Building on the earlier phases of instruction and preparation, the training concluded with a high-intensity nuclear response drill that tested the crews’ readiness under pressure. The culminating event, the nuclear response drill, saw crews rehearse a nuclear alert call four times. Each time, aircrews sprinted from their vehicles, ascended the ladders into their KC-135s, and immediately started their engines. The pilots then conducted a minimum interval takeoff, with all three KC-135s taking off in twelve to fifteen-second intervals.

This final exercise didn’t just test their speed and skill—it pushed the crew to step outside their usual roles and rise to the challenge.

“We're taking personnel beyond their normal responsibilities as a pilot or a boom operator and making them rise to this occasion to facilitate this mission,” said Newmann. “It's a big ask, a big task, and not everyone can do it, but we trust our air crew to get the job done.”

Such responsibility underscores the significance of the KC-135’s mission and its impact on national defense operations.

The KC-135 plays a vital role by supplying air refueling to key U.S. assets. Without them, airborne command, control operations, and nuclear bombers wouldn’t be able to carry out their missions. Tankers are essential, especially since the Secretary of Defense and the President have identified the nuclear mission as the top priority.

“The importance of this mission is nuclear deterrence,” said Capt. Craig Schwander, 108th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 pilot. “If tensions rise to the point where we have to go, then this is our mission to make sure that we can restore our way of life. This is the last straw of that mission.”

Executing this high-stakes mission requires seamless integration between guard and active duty forces.

“We're a total force integration unit,” said Airman 1st Class Kylie Navin, 906th ARS boom operator, explaining the force structure of the 906th ARS. “Half of us are guard, and half of us are active duty.”

This training highlights the importance of partnership between the 126th ARW and 375th Air Mobility Wing, which the 906th ARS falls under. The guard wing leads the mission, with active duty members supporting as needed. Together, both teams ensure aircrews are always fully prepared and mission-ready.

That level of coordination and commitment was reflected in the intensity of the training itself. When asked to summarize the training in a single word, Newmann responded, “Intense.”

“Failure is not an option in this mission,” said Newmann. “It is a no-fail mission for a reason, and we trust personnel to rise to that occasion.