The Hawai‘i Air National Guard (HIANG) is set to conduct the "Sentry Aloha" exercise, a training operation that has been held for over two decades. This iteration will involve approximately 1,060 personnel and 42 aircraft from nine states.
The visiting aircraft include F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-35 Lightning IIs, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, KC-135R Stratotankers, KC-46A Pegasus, and several variants of C-130 airframes. These aircraft will engage in simulated combat exercises alongside the Hickam-based ‘Hawaiian Raptors’ from the 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons.
Exercise planners have coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and visiting units to ensure safe and efficient flying operations throughout Sentry Aloha. The training events are designed to minimize impact on airport traffic and overall airspace within the Hawaiian Islands.
The 199th Fighter Squadron is part of the 154th Wing, which is noted as the largest wing in the Air National Guard. The HIANG comprises nearly 2,500 personnel whose federal mission includes being trained and available for active duty Air Force operational missions.