Beale AFB, a premier location for joint service training

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Aiden MacDonald, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 weapons and tactics instructor, gives a tour of an MV-22 Osprey to a team of Airmen from the 349th Medical Squadron from Travis Air Force Base on Beale Air Force Base, California, July 29, 2025. The Marine unit is operating out of Beale AFB to conduct a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in preparation for deployment and partnered with the medical team from Travis AFB to facilitate training to load and unload a patient onto an MV-22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer)

Beale AFB, a premier location for joint service training

U.S. Airmen from the 349th Medical Squadron from Travis Air Force Base train loading and unloading a patient onto a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey on Beale Air Force Base, California, July 29, 2025. The Travis medical team partnered with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 to conduct the training while the Marine unit was conducting a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in preparation for a deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer)

Beale AFB, a premier location for joint service training

A U.S Air Force medical team from the 349th Medical Squadron from Travis Air Force Base conducts training on an MV-22 Osprey on Beale Air Force Base, California, July 29, 2025. The Travis AFB medical team partnered with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 for a readiness training exercise loading and unloading a patient onto a Marine MV-22 Osprey while the Marines were conducting a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in preparation for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer)

Beale AFB, a premier location for joint service training

U.S. Air Force Maj. James Oliver, 349th Medical Squadron surgeon general in charge, speaks with U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kyle Baker, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 MV-22 Osprey pilot in the cockpit of a MV-22 Osprey on Beale Air Force Base, California, July 29, 2025. A team from the 349th Medical Squadron came to Beale AFB to train loading and unloading a patient on an MV-22 Osprey from the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer)

Beale AFB, a premier location for joint service training

A team of U.S. Airmen from the 349th Medical Squadron from Travis Air Force Base conducted training on a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey on Beale Air Force Base, California, July 29, 2025. The medical team from Travis AFB partnered with the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 to train medical readiness by conducting medical evacuation training on an MV-22 Osprey from a contingent environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer)

Beale AFB, a premier location for joint service training

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Aiden MacDonald, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 weapons and tactics instructor, gives a tour of an MV-22 Osprey to a team of Airmen from the 349th Medical Squadron from Travis Air Force Base on Beale Air Force Base, California, July 29, 2025. The Marine Corps unit is operating out of Beale AFB to conduct a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in preparation for deployment and partnered with the medical team from Travis AFB to facilitate medical evacuation training on an MV-22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer)

Beale AFB, a premier location for joint service training

Airmen from the 349th Medical Squadron and Marines from the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 pose for a photo in front of a Marine MV-22 Osprey on Beale Air Force Base, California, July 29, 2025. While the Marine unit was conducting a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in preparation for deployment, the medical team from Travis AFB partnered with Beale AFB and the Marines for medical evacuation training on an MV-22 Osprey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer)

Beale AFB, a premier location for joint service training

Published Aug. 14, 2025
By Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen
9th Reconnaissance Wing

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --

Beale AFB continues to evolve as a key force-multiplying asset in support of joint-force readiness, serving as an essential platform for training and exercises across U.S. military branches.

Beale hosted the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE), during which Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (VMM-163) based in Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California, conducted simulated expeditionary operations using five MV-22 Ospreys. The exercise showed Beale's commitment to their partnerships and the capacity to support joint, high-tempo operations simulating overseas deployments.

“We chose Beale due to its proximity to multiple new training areas that we could utilize for our exercise to provide realistic training and present new challenges,” said U.S. Marine Capt. Christopher Hanke, VMM-163 action officer for the MCCRE.

To simulate operations from a foreign airfield, the Marines transformed Beale’s layout into a South Pacific Island scenario, enabling training in troop insertions, tactical movements, aerial evacuations, and Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP). The 9th Reconnaissance Wing (RW) supported the MCCRE by providing airfield access, operations and maintenance facilities, and essential base operating support including communications, transportation, fuel, fire response, and security.

“Beale allowed us to have working spaces for our Marines as well as a dedicated area for aircraft parking to simulate a forward operating base,” said Hanke. “Its location also enabled us to conduct extended flight operations over water and maintain access to nearby training areas.”

While Beale’s Airmen were not on the front lines of the exercise, by providing critical support, the base’s air traffic controllers, fire department, and mission support elements received valuable joint-environment training. The airfield management team deconflicted MV-22 operations from Beale-assigned aircraft and coordinated access to the runway. The 9th Mission Support Group expanded the dining facility capabilities, coordinated transportation, and delivered fuel and equipment to sustain the Marines’ daily operations.

“Beale’s operations and tower teams were very flexible for us and eager to help,” said Hanke. “They extended airfield hours on a Friday to conduct night operations and were always willing to support our needs. That support allowed us to complete all our required training and directly improved our readiness for deployment.”

Coordination extended beyond Beale, with Travis Air Force Base medical personnel integrated into training scenarios. This cross-service collaboration highlighted Beale’s adaptability in supporting unfamiliar airframes and joint mission requirements.

“Any chance to host units from different services exposes our personnel to new aircraft, communication methods, and operating styles,” said Christopher Wheeler, 9th RW plans and programs chief. “Our air traffic controllers gained dissimilar aircraft training with the MV-22s, and our fire department trained on crash recovery and aircrew extraction for this aircraft.”

Beale’s ability to simultaneously host MV-22 operations while maintaining U-2, T-38, and KC-135 missions illustrates its operational versatility. Facilities like the Beale Dragon Town Readiness and Training Center further enhance the base’s readiness by offering realistic joint training environments.

“This simulated environment helps us train to new and challenging scenarios while out of our normal operating area in Southern California,” said Hanke. “This allowed us to induce friction in planning to better prepare for upcoming challenges on deployment.”

The exercise demonstrated Beale’s ability to support intricate joint-force operations while providing Airmen with exposure to diverse mission sets and operational demands.

“Beale AFB remains a force multiplier for all services,” said Wheeler “This type of support and training for diverse mission sets enhances our readiness by broadening experiences and capabilities.”

As the only west coast airfield under Air Combat Command, Beale AFB remains a premier location with essential capabilities that enable joint-force training and enhance expeditionary preparedness.