Giancarlo Casem
The 412th Test Wing conducted the largest combat readiness exercise in Air Force Materiel Command corporate memory Dec. 3 to 6, and followed up with a full-day community partner tabletop readiness exercise on Dec. 9 at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The exercise and associated inspection tested Edwards’ and Plant 42’s response to a range of simulated security threats and operational challenges in this age of great power competition.
Events began with a mid-morning alert to base leadership simulating an increase in the threat level to the base, prompting the exercise to elevate to Force Protection Condition Charlie. This was followed by a simulated explosion at the base’s west gate, escalating the situation to FPCON Delta within the exercise space—indicating a heightened risk of ongoing or complex attacks on base people, facilities and assets.
“Great power competition and the threats associated with it are real,” said Brig. Gen. Douglas Wickert, 412th Test Wing commander. “This exercise is essential to ensure we are ready to respond, fight, and prevail against potential adversaries—whether that threat arises here at home or abroad.”
Both FPCON Charlie and Delta measures focus on heightened security and rapid response and required base members to modify their daily operations in line with an evolving situation. While the workforce typically continues regularly assigned duties, workers are also expected to demonstrate readiness for force protection procedures, including heightened vigilance, controlled entry points for facilities, and coordination with Security Forces to report any suspicious activities.
In the exercise’s simulated environment, the west gate explosion resulted in the death of one Airman and injured other people. The real-world consequences of resulting exercise play were felt when the west and north gates were closed for approximately one hour to demonstrate the base’s ability to defend itself during such an attack.
"The nature of this exercise allows us to assess how well we can handle a range of crisis scenarios," said Col. James Hayes, 412th Test Wing deputy commander and exercise crisis action team commander. "From a cyberattack to a physical breach, the team demonstrated both ingenuity and resilience under pressure."
Base members faced another simulated challenge on Thursday – an extensive cyberattack that crippled the electric grid and telecommunications systems throughout the Western U.S.
Starting at 8:30 a.m., the scenario simulated loss of power and disruption of phone lines, email systems and internet access for several hours across the base, from Rocket Ridge to the Exchange and Commissary, forcing people to revert to pre-digital communication methods. Critical operations were maintained via land mobile radios and essential information was disseminated through flyers and word-of-mouth.
“This was an eye-opening experience, especially for newer members who may not have faced these conditions before,” said Alyssa Bartoshevich, an Emergency Management specialist. “Reverting to pencils, pens and runners brought us back to basics and reminded us of how far we’ve come, and how important it is to stay flexible.”
By Thursday afternoon, civil engineers and communications specialists had restored power and systems.
“The exercise was a stark reminder of the critical need for preparedness in the face of potential attacks, both physical and cyber,” said Kimberly Strong, 412th Test Wing Inspector General’s Office.
The Headquarters AFMC-evaluated inspection portion of the exercise concluded Friday with additional defense drills and a deployment demonstration by key warfighting specialties.
On Monday, base leaders, including those from the Exchange, Commissary and Muroc Joint Unified School District, participated in a table-top exercise in collaboration with local government and law enforcement that focused on how to handle prolonged communication and power outages caused by large-scale cyberattacks.
“We are living in a time of consequence,” Wickert emphasized. “This exercise is not just a drill—it’s part of a broader strategy to ensure that Edwards AFB remains ready to support our nation’s defense in any scenario.”
As the exercise wrapped up Monday, lessons learned will continue to shape the wing’s preparedness for future conflicts, with a particular focus on readiness to handle growing threats in the Pacific region. The 412th Test Wing’s ongoing efforts highlight the importance of ensuring every team member is not only ready for combat, but also resilient in the face of unexpected challenges.
A 412th Security Forces Squadron Airman responds to a threat during a combat readiness exercise at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 6. (Air Force photo by Lindsey Iniguez) 
412th Test Wing Airmen respond to simulated medical casualty during a Combat Readiness Exercise on Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 6. (Air Force photo by Daniel Kelley) 
412th Test Wing Airmen proceed through the pre-deployment function line at the 412th Logistics Readiness Squadron during a combat readiness exercise at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 6. (Air Force photo by Daniel Kelley) 
A firetruck from the 812th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services responds to a fire during a combat readiness exercise at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Dec. 6. (Air Force photo by Lindsey Iniguez)