Forging Tactical Readiness During Iron Ascent

View Online Forging Tactical Readiness During Iron Ascent May 8, 2026 |  By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Heather Ley, 92nd Air Refueling Wing In a deliberate push to build a more agile and combat-ready force, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing launched Iron Ascent, a rigorous three-day tactical training course, held at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, April 29-May 1. The inaugural program pulled airmen out of their typical daily duties and into hands-on combat environments, enabling training participants from various career fields to operate as capable expeditionary warfighters. The initiative was spearheaded by Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Lindsay Moon, 92nd ARW command chief, who saw a need to provide airmen with training beyond computer-based modules and classroom instruction.  "Iron Ascent is a course that we locally created, realizing there was a need to get past the things we learn by [computer] or in a classroom, and trying to get folks out into the field and really recognizing what [the] warrior ethos is," Moon said. "It allowed us to drop people out into the field to do combat-related operations, even if it's not the same thing we expect them to do day to day."  The result was a rigorous, multifaceted training experience. The first day was dedicated to academics, where participants received briefings on essential deployment skills.  "The classroom instruction covered deployment tactics, explosive ordnance disposal capabilities and tactical combat casualty care," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Katlynn Bell, the noncommissioned officer in charge of training for the 92nd Security Forces Squadron, who also served as part of the exercise cadre. "It was mainly learning the fundamentals, so it's easier for the practical portions later on."  During day two, the airmen split into two groups to apply their new knowledge, swapping halfway through the day so everyone completed both events. One group practiced close-quarters battle tactics and troop movements at the security forces' "shoot house," and the other group rappelled down a 30-foot wall with survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists.  "We tried to progressively build on the concepts," Moon said. "We were able to hand them actual M4 [assault rifles] so they could practice clearing rooms, being in formation and communicating together." The final day culminated in a field training exercise at Nighthawk Range, where participants faced a series of challenging scenarios across 50 acres of terrain. They defended locations, acquired intelligence and navigated through ambushes against opposing forces, putting all their training to the test under high-stress conditions.  "You saw a lot of different stressors that were applied to them, and it was amazing to watch them face those [stressors]," Moon said.  The exercise reflected the Air Force's broader push toward creating a more agile and versatile force.  "It's important for people to understand that we may ask you to do things outside of what you learned in tech school," Moon said. "But that is OK; you can do hard things. We had airmen from finance and weather training right alongside security forces and survival instructors; watching them all work together was amazing."  Air Force Staff Sgt. Dakota Peterson, noncommissioned officer in charge of physical security for the squadron, who also served as part of the exercise cadre, noted the training established a critical baseline for airmen who may find themselves in unexpected roles during a deployment.  "It's critical because when they deploy, they might be asked to step outside their normal duties, and this training provides that foundation," Peterson said. "It's a stepping stone that allows them to say, 'Hey, I have some experience. I trained for this a year ago, and now I can apply it here.'"  For the cadre, one of the most rewarding aspects was watching the volunteer participants embrace the challenges head-on.  "It was really awesome to see people stepping out of their comfort zones, and not being afraid of it, and really just embracing it," Bell said. "It's all volunteers here; no one here was told to be here."  The enthusiasm was palpable. According to Moon, many participants immediately asked how they could be involved in the next iteration, a testament to the program's success and the growing appetite for hands-on, tactical training.

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Contracts for May 7, 2026

View Online FOR RELEASE AT 5 PM ET Contracts For May 7, 2026 NAVY General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $66,176,980 cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost only, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity type contract (N66604-26-D-B600) for continued Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase III development of the Data Acquisition and Retrieval System in support of the Virginia- and Columbia-class test program. This contract includes an ordering period of five years. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (80%); Newport, Rhode Island (10%); Port Canaveral, Florida (5%); and Andros Island, Bahamas (5%), and is expected to be completed by May 2031. Fiscal 2026 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $567,377 (51%); fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $369,216 (33%); and fiscal 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $174,487 (16%), will be obligated on the first task order immediately following award of the basic contract, none of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is a SBIR Phase III sole source contract and was not competitively procured on the SAM.gov website, in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(5), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-5, authorized or required by statute. Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Industries Unmanned Systems, Pocasset, Massachusetts, is awarded a $36,985,007 firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-23-C-6308) to exercise an option for Lionfish Small Unmanned Undersea Vehicle production, support equipment, and ancillary equipment. Work will be performed in Pocasset, Massachusetts (99%); and Hampton, Virginia (1%), and is expected to be completed by May 2027. Fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $36,985,007 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.  SEACORP LLC,* Middletown, Rhode Island, is awarded a $31,953,501 cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost only, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity type contract (N66604-26-D-C600)for the development of payload control system technology in support of Navy submarines. This contract includes an ordering period of five years. Work will be performed in Middletown, Rhode Island (40%); Newport, Rhode Island (31%); the United Kingdom (4%); Australia (4%); Washington, D.C. (3%); San Diego, California (3%); Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (3%); Groton, Connecticut (3%); Dahlgren, Virginia (1%); Kings Bay, Georgia (1%); Bangor, Washington (1%); Austin, Texas (1%); Denver, Colorado (1%); Laurel, Maryland (1%); Manassas, Virginia (1%); Norfolk, Virginia (1%); and Pittsfield, Massachusetts (1%), and is expected to be completed by May 2031. Fiscal 2026 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $264,917 will be obligated on the first task order immediately following award of the basic contract, which will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is a Small Business Innovative Research Phase III sole source contract and was not competitively procured on the SAM.gov website, in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(5), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-5, authorized or required by statute. Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Inc., Newport News, Virginia, is awarded an undefinitized $29,375,000 cost plus fixed fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-2116) for select long lead time material procurement, assembly, and associated production efforts for main turbine generator spares in support of the Gerald R. Ford-class shore-based spares program. Work will be performed in Sykesville, Maryland (67%); Sunnyvale, California (22%); and Cheswick, Pennsylvania (11%), and is expected to be completed by December 2030. Fiscal 2026 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $22,031,248 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. ICR Inc.,* Aurora, Colorado, is awarded a $16,340,190 cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N6833526F1046) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N6833525G0033). This order provides for continued enhancement of workflow application for recording production and targeting history, its deployment of additional combat commands, training of joint targeting circle users, and necessary upgrades to ensure the warfighter is fully equipped and ready for action when required in support of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III effort for Topic AF191-009 entitled, “Pitch Day in Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, and Network (C3I&N)”, for advancing the key enabling technology for the workflow manager. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virgina (92%); Tampa, Florida (2%); Bellevue, Nebraska (2%); Honolulu, Hawaii (2%); and Ramstein, Germany (2%), and is expected to be completed in May 2027. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,920,457 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competed. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.  AIR FORCE Work Services Corp., Wichita Falls, Texas, has been awarded a $22,499,325 modification (P00014) to a previously awarded contract (FA302023C0007) for food services at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $112,882,694 from $112,035,451. Work will be performed at Sheppard AFB, Texas, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2027. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $22,499,325 are being obligated at time of award. The 82nd Contracting Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas, is the contracting activity.    Thomas Instrument Inc., Brookshire, Texas (FA8118-26-D-0031); and Aero Engineering Support Group Inc., Kissimmee, Florida (FA8118-26-D-0032), were awarded a $23,475,173 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the remanufacture of the T-38 Electro-Mechanical Actuator. This contract provides for the remanufacture of the T-38 Electro-Mechanical Actuator which is used to convert electrical energy into controlled rotary motion to operate an aircraft flap system. Work will be performed at Brookshire, Texas; and Kissimmee, Florida, and is expected to be completed by May 6, 2031. These contracts were competitive acquisitions and two offers were received. No funds are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center Contracting Accessories Section, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity.  ARMY  Mirador Enterprises Inc.,* El Paso, Texas, was awarded a $20,000,000 modification (P00004) to contract W911SG-22-D-0004 for minor construction, facility repair, rehabilitation, and alterations. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $100,000,000. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 8, 2027. Army 418th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas, is the contracting activity. Breakwater Marine LLC, Farmingdale, New York, was awarded a $12,984,450 firm-fixed-price contract for maintenance dredging of the Hague Basin at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, including processing, transporting, and placing dredged material at a contractor furnished, State permitted upland site. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Kings Point, New York, with an estimated completion date of June 19, 2026.  Fiscal 2025 Department of Transportation, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy funds in the amount of $12,984,450 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York, New York, is the contracting activity (W912DS-26-C-A007). CORRECTION: The $14,988,840 firm-fixed-price contract (W9127N-26-C-A022) announced on May 5, 2026, to Eaton Corp., Raleigh, North Carolina, for the supply of main unit switchgear assemblies, and the development and delivery of associated shop drawings, factory inspections and test reports, was actually awarded on May 6, 2026. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Melton Sales and Service,* Columbus, New Jersey, has been awarded an estimated $14,419,430 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for chain hoist assemblies. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The performance completion date is May 7, 2031. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-26-D-0030). WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES Suvi Global Services LLC, in Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a firm-fixed-price and time-and-materials contract (HQ003426FE222) with a value of $11,651,544. The purpose of this contract is to provide information technology support services across all Department of War (DOW) Office of Inspector General (DOW OIG) networks to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability to DOW OIG systems and data for all current and future network environments. The support services include the following: basis services, program management services, digital workplace services and support, infrastructure support services, and disaster recovery services. Work will be performed at the OIG, the Mark Center, Alexandria, Virginia. The estimated completion date is May 6, 2031. The total amount of the contract if all options are exercised is $68,058,739. Funds in the amount of $8,812,916, are being obligated at the time of the award. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.   *Small business

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Today in DOW: May 7, 2026

Today in DOW: May 7, 2026 Open Press Events Secretary of War The secretary has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Deputy Secretary of War The deputy secretary has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The vice chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Additional Open Press Events   Read More > View All Postings   Contacts Additions and corrections for Today in DOW are invited and should be directed to the press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131 or +1 (703) 697-5132. For additional media information click here. Public Inquiries Contact us for more information, if you have questions or for technical support. Media Questions News media representatives with questions for the Department of War may reach our press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131. Duty Officer A public affairs duty officer is available 24 hours a day through +1 (703) 697-5131.

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Department of War Releases Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Files in Historic Transparency Effort

View Online IMMEDIATE RELEASE Department of War Releases Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena Files in Historic Transparency Effort May 8, 2026 Today, the Department of War announced the initial release of new, never-before-seen files on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) as part of the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE). This interagency effort includes The White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Department of Energy (DOE), the DOW's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and additional components of U.S. intelligence agencies. The collection will be housed on WAR.GOV/UFO and additional files will be released by the Department of War on a rolling basis.  This release follows the direction of President Donald J. Trump to begin the process of identifying and declassifying government files related to UAP in the interest of total transparency. No other President or administration in history has followed through on this level of UAP transparency. The American people can now access the federal government's declassified UAP files instantly. The latest UAP videos, photos, and original source documents from across the entire United States government are all in one place – no clearance required. While past administrations sought to discredit or dissuade the American people, President Trump is focused on providing maximum transparency to the public, who can ultimately make up their own minds about the information contained in these files. The American people have asked for more transparency on these topics, and President Trump is delivering. While all of the files have been reviewed for security purposes, many of the materials have not yet been analyzed for resolution of any anomalies. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: "The Department of War is in lockstep with President Trump to bring unprecedented transparency regarding our government's understanding of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves. This release of declassified documents demonstrates the Trump Administration's earnest commitment to unprecedented transparency." Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard: "The American people have long sought transparency about the government's knowledge of unidentified anomalous phenomena. Under President Trump's leadership, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is actively coordinating the Intelligence Community's declassification efforts with the Department of War to ensure a careful, comprehensive, and unprecedented review of our holdings to provide the American people with maximum transparency. Today's release is the first in what will be an ongoing joint declassification and release effort." FBI Director Kash Patel: "The FBI is proud to stand alongside President Trump and our interagency partners in this landmark release of UAP records. For the first time in history, the American people have unfettered access to declassified government files on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon - a level of transparency that no prior administration has delivered. The FBI remains committed to supporting this rolling declassification effort with the same rigor and integrity we bring to every national security matter. As these files continue to be reviewed and released, the American people can be confident that their security remains our highest priority." NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman: "I applaud President Trump's whole-of-government effort to bring greater transparency to the American people on unidentified anomalous phenomena. At NASA, our job is to bring the brightest minds and most advanced scientific instruments to bear, follow the data, and share what we learn. We will remain candid about what we know to be true, what we have yet to understand, and all that remains to be discovered. Exploration and the pursuit of knowledge are core to NASA's mission as we endeavor to unlock the secrets of the universe."  WAR.GOV/UFO is a dedicated Department of War webpage to stay up to date with the latest UAP file releases.

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