621st CRS Showcases Capabilities at Exercise Storm Flag 26-07

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kade Christ and Staff Sgt. Logan Turner, 621st Contingency Response Squadron Assessment Team, place dunnage for pallets at Geronimo Landing Zone, Louisiana, May 10, 2026, in support of Exercise Storm Flag 26-07. During the exercise, the CRS established an Initial Staging Base, conducted airfield assessments, and executed the deliberate break-off of a Contingency Support Element at locations from Alexandria to Geronimo Landing Zone, ensuring timely delivery of cargo to support the 10th Mountain Division’s certification exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jessica McLaughlin)

621st CRS Showcases Capabilities at Exercise Storm Flag 26-07

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Colby Lash, 621st Contingency Response Squadron, listens to Assessment Team pre-sling load mission brief at Alexandria Airfield, Louisiana, May 10, 2026, in support of Exercise Storm Flag 26-07. During the exercise, the CRS established an Initial Staging Base, conducted airfield assessments, and executed the deliberate break-off of a Contingency Support Element at locations from Alexandria to Geronimo Landing Zone, ensuring timely delivery of cargo to support the 10th Mountain Division’s certification exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jessica McLaughlin)

621st CRS Showcases Capabilities at Exercise Storm Flag 26-07

U.S. Air Force Captain Felix Cruz, 621st Contingency Response Squadron, measures the Life Support Area at Geronimo Landing Zone, Louisiana, May 10, 2026, in support of Exercise Storm Flag 26-07. During the exercise, the CRS established an Initial Staging Base, conducted airfield assessments, and executed the deliberate break-off of a Contingency Support Element at locations from Alexandria to Geronimo Landing Zone, ensuring timely delivery of cargo to support the 10th Mountain Division’s certification exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jessica McLaughlin)

621st CRS Showcases Capabilities at Exercise Storm Flag 26-07

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joven Francisco and Staff Sgt. Imran Stone, 621st Contingency Response Squadron, cover spotting procedures when downloading an aircraft at Alexandria Airfield, Louisiana, May 10, 2026, in support of Exercise Storm Flag 26-07. During the exercise, the CRS established an Initial Staging Base, conducted airfield assessments, and executed the deliberate break-off of a Contingency Support Element at locations from Alexandria to Geronimo Landing Zone, ensuring timely delivery of cargo to support the 10th Mountain Division’s certification exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jessica McLaughlin)

621st CRS Showcases Capabilities at Exercise Storm Flag 26-07

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Andrew Morris, 621st Contingency Response Squadron, leads a 24-hour operation shift change mission brief at Alexandria Airfield, Louisiana, May 10, 2026, in support of Exercise Storm Flag 26-07. During the exercise, the CRS established an Initial Staging Base, conducted airfield assessments, and executed the deliberate break-off of a Contingency Support Element at locations from Alexandria to Geronimo Landing Zone, ensuring timely delivery of cargo to support the 10th Mountain Division’s certification exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jessica McLaughlin)

621st CRS Showcases Capabilities at Exercise Storm Flag 26-07

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Smith and Staff Sgt. Gilbert Lopez, 621st Contingency Response Squadron, establish radio communications for inbound aircraft upon arrival at Alexandria Airfield, Louisiana, May 10, 2026, in support of Exercise Storm Flag 26-07. During the exercise, the CRS established an Initial Staging Base, conducted airfield assessments, and executed the deliberate break-off of a Contingency Support Element at locations from Alexandria to Geronimo Landing Zone, ensuring timely delivery of cargo to support the 10th Mountain Division’s certification exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jessica McLaughlin)

621st CRS Showcases Capabilities at Exercise Storm Flag 26-07

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 621st Contingency Response Squadron, hand-selected Assessment Team pose for group photo at Louisiana, May 10, 2026, in support of Exercise Storm Flag 26-07. During the exercise, the CRS established an Initial Staging Base, conducted airfield assessments, and executed the deliberate break-off of a Contingency Support Element at locations from Alexandria to Geronimo Landing Zone, ensuring timely delivery of cargo to support the 10th Mountain Division’s certification exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jessica McLaughlin)

621st CRS Showcases Capabilities at Exercise Storm Flag 26-07

Published May 14, 2026
By 1st Lt Jessica McLaughlin
621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ --

Members of the 621^st Contingency Response Squadrons participated in Storm Flag 26-07, a Mobility Air Forces exercise conducted at multiple locations from May 9-17, 2026.

Upon arrival, the 621^st established an aerial port at Alexandria, serving as the Initial Staging Base (ISB) for forward deploying U.S. Army personnel and equipment. The exercise emphasized agility, with the Contingency Response Element (CRE) practicing the deliberate break-off of a Contingency Support Element (CSE).

Clearing the way for the CSE’s arrival, the small, hand-selected Airfield Assessment Team conducted a four-hour “go/no-go” evaluation in a simulated austere environment, including their first collective nighttime sling-load operation, airfield assessment, and the establishment of a certified landing zone.

“This was a great opportunity for us to step outside the usual boundaries of our career fields and gain experience certifying and executing these sling-load operations,” said SSgt Benjamin Butler, 621^st Contingency Response Squadron Assessment Team. “Even though our team was freshly formed, everyone worked together seamlessly, which really speaks to the professionalism and dedication of every person I have the privilege to work with.”

Once in place, the CSE set up a temporary airbridge from the ISB to Geronimo Landing Zone, the Forward Staging Base (FSB), ensuring the timely delivery of cargo to support the 10th Mountain Division’s certification exercise.

“Right now, real-world events can push our force to operate anywhere at a moment’s notice, and I’m really proud of our team,” said Capt. Andrew DiCicco, Assistant Director of Operations, 621^st Contingency Response Squadron. “Not just for their professionalism and readiness, but for showing the full range of capabilities we bring to the fight to enable our partners.

Storm Flag 26-07 put the Contingency Response teams squarely in their element: operating in dispersed, contested environments to ensure the rapid flow of personnel and equipment, setting the stage to enable our partners.

Exercises like this are the CRW’s bread and butter, showcasing their ability to respond quickly and decisively to emerging operational needs, and reinforcing the Air Force’s commitment to agile, scalable airpower.