JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Multiple 62d Airlift Wing C-17 Globemaster III aircrews with the 8th Airlift Squadron departed Joint Base Lewis-McChord Aug. 24, 2026, to participate in Storm Flag 26-10.
The exercise is an extensive two-week readiness simulation, which takes place across multiple U.S. locations, melding units throughout the Department of War with international partners to maximize training opportunities and interoperability.
“Storm Flag 26-10 is a major joint and international exercise lead by the 34th Combat Training Squadron used to validate joint force packaging, rapid global mobility, and deployment readiness in simulated contested environments,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Max Rogovin, 8th AS pilot. “As a pilot, Storm Flag 26-10 provides a high-fidelity environment to practice operations against a near-peer adversary while strengthening bonds with different career fields inside the Air Force, as well as joint and international partners.”
Storm Flag 26-10 is a culmination of capabilities, allowing C-17 crews the opportunity to test their mettle in a simulated environment where quick thinking and fast actions are vital to success.
The integration of various joint and international units allows Team McChord crews to practice capabilities that are not possible alone. Teamwork makes the entire exercise possible, from the very beginning planning stages to the last crew returning home.
As the exercise wraps up, the aircrews of the 8th AS return to JBLM equipped with sharper skills, increased knowledge, and enhanced interoperability. Through exercises like Storm Flag 26-10, Team McChord continues to flex its ability to project rapid global mobility and maintain readiness in any scenario.