Astral Knight 2026 (AK26), U.S. European Command’s premier integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) exercise, led by U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, is underway in the United Kingdom.
U.S. Air Force Airmen, F-35A Lightning IIs and F-15E Strike Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England, will participate in the exercise from home station. Airmen and KC-135 Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, will also participate from home station.
This year, the high-end training focuses on the tactical execution of IAMD through defensive combat air (DCA) and offensive combat air (OCA) operations. Participating fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft will first conduct DCA missions against simulated adversary jets and cruise missiles. Operations will then transition to OCA missions—including Sweep, Escort, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses, and Air Interdiction—against simulated air and land-based targets used to generate adversary offensive operations.
Decisive military power rests on credible options when deterrence fails. Astral Knight demonstrates that the Air Force retains the initiative to act at a time and place of our choosing.
Expanding on decisive military power USAF B-1B Lancers and Airmen are scheduled to participate in the exercise by providing additional offensive combat air support while integrating the fourth- and fifth-generation fighters. Bomber aircraft regularly support global exercises to bolster deterrence, improve interoperability and enhance readiness.
Airborne operations will be closely integrated with essential ground control elements. The 606th Air Control Squadron out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, will provide critical Tactical Command and Control during live-fly vulnerability windows, ensuring fighter and bomber aircraft operate in seamless, coordinated formations. To further strengthen readiness, the 606th ACS will execute a rapid mobility mission simulating a deployed environment to validate technical and logistical capabilities.
Furthermore, the USAF 19th Electronic Warfare Squadron, based at Polygone, Bann, Germany, will provide realistic electronic warfare threat training and Link 16 network simulations. The squadron will deploy land-based emitters to simulate adversary surface-to-air missiles while executing real-time spectrum deconfliction to ensure simulated jamming does not interfere with real-world civilian infrastructure. Additionally, 19th EWS “white force” personnel will perform technical signal analysis to validate simulated engagements and compile complex electronic data into objective mission reconstruction debriefs.
High performance fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft integration enhances combined military operations, decisive combat power and modern warfighting. This enables Allies to increase their contributions to the conventional defense of Europe. AK26 validates integrated air and missile defense and illustrates how USAFE units project power and defend American interests outside the continental United States.
Additionally, AK26 ensures U.S. forces are ready, lethal, and postured to safeguard against any threat to U.S. interests in Europe and around the globe.
