721st CRS conducts first “Phantom Shield” exercise at Amedee AAF

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Levi Reynolds
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  

The 721st Contingency Response Squadron (CRS) successfully completed its inaugural internally planned and executed exercise, “Phantom Shield,” at Amedee Army Airfield from May 12-20.

Airman digs a hole

U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 721st Contingency Response Squadron digs a hole as part of Exercise Phantom Shield at Amedee Army Airfield, California, on May 16, 2025. The inaugural exercise, held from May 13-19, challenged the squadron’s ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in austere environments, strengthening their readiness for global contingency missions. (U.S. Air Force photo composite by Tech Sgt. Levi Reynolds)

The nine-day exercise marked a milestone for the newly established unit, testing its ability to rapidly deploy and operate in austere environments.

The training, designed to simulate real-world contingency operations, challenged approximately 112 Airmen from the 721st CRS to establish and sustain airfield operations under demanding conditions. Tasks included airfield assessments, cargo handling, security operations and coordination with joint forces, all aimed at enhancing the unit’s readiness for global mobility missions.

Lt. Col. Dan Cascio, 721st CRS commander, praised the dedication behind the exercise’s development. “The planning and execution of ‘Phantom Shield’ required months of coordination, from securing the airfield to tailoring scenarios that push our Airmen to their limits,” Cascio said. “Our team’s commitment to building this from the ground up reflects the professionalism and agility we bring to every mission.”

Airmen discuss details

721st CRS conducts first 'Phantom Shield” exercise at Amedee Army Airfield

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 721st Contingency Response Squadron talks about exercise details as part of Exercise Phantom Shield at Amedee Army Airfield, California, on May 15, 2025. The inaugural exercise, held from May 13-19, challenged the squadron’s ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in austere environments, strengthening their readiness for global contingency missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Levi Reynolds)

Man driving humvee

721st CRS conducts first 'Phantom Shield” exercise at Amedee Army Airfield

(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Levi Reynolds)

Airmen set up tents

721st CRS conducts first 'Phantom Shield” exercise at Amedee Army Airfield

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 721st Contingency Response Squadron set up tents as part of Exercise Phantom Shield at Amedee Army Airfield, California, on May 15, 2025. The inaugural exercise, held from May 13-19, challenged the squadron’s ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in austere environments, strengthening their readiness for global contingency missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Levi Reynolds)

Camouflaged man aims sniper rifle

721st CRS conducts first 'Phantom Shield” exercise at Amedee Army Airfield

U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 721st Contingency Response Squadron perform an airfield assessment as part of Exercise Phantom Shield at Amedee Army Airfield, California, on May 15, 2025. The inaugural exercise, held from May 13-19, challenged the squadron’s ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in austere environments, strengthening their readiness for global contingency missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Levi Reynolds)

Man looks through his binoculars

721st CRS conducts first 'Phantom Shield” exercise at Amedee Army Airfield

U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 721st Contingency Response Squadron looks through his binoculars during Exercise Phantom Shield at Amedee Army Airfield, California, on May 15, 2025. The inaugural exercise, held from May 13-19, challenged the squadron’s ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in austere environments, strengthening their readiness for global contingency missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Levi Reynolds)

The 721st CRS, activated in January 2023 at Travis Air Force Base, California, is part of the 621st Contingency Response Wing, which specializes in rapidly opening airfields and coordinating air mobility operations worldwide. Phantom Shield was the squadron’s first opportunity to independently design and execute a large-scale training event, leveraging Amedee Army Airfield’s remote location to replicate challenging operational conditions.
 

Master Sgt. Christopher Anderson, 721st CRS group operations superintendent, emphasized the value of the controlled training environment. “Testing our Airmen here at Amedee allows us to identify strengths and weaknesses in a setting where we can refine our processes without real-world consequences,” Anderson said. “It’s critical to ensuring we’re ready to deploy anywhere, anytime, and deliver airpower effectively.”

Man sits in car

721st CRS conducts first 'Phantom Shield” exercise at Amedee Army Airfield

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 721st Contingency Response Squadron perform an airfield assessment as part of Exercise Phantom Shield at Amedee Army Airfield, California, on May 15, 2025. The inaugural exercise, held from May 13-19, challenged the squadron’s ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in austere environments, strengthening their readiness for global contingency missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Levi Reynolds)

Flag

721st CRS conducts first 'Phantom Shield” exercise at Amedee Army Airfield

A guidon flag that belongs to the 721st Contingency Response Squadron stands as part of Exercise Phantom Shield at Amedee Army Airfield, California, on May 16, 2025. The inaugural exercise, held from May 13-19, challenged the squadron’s ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in austere environments, strengthening their readiness for global contingency missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Levi Reynolds)

Airman runs with weapon

721st CRS conducts first 'Phantom Shield” exercise at Amedee Army Airfield

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 721st Contingency Response Squadron perform an airfield assessment as part of Exercise Phantom Shield at Amedee Army Airfield, California, on May 15, 2025. The inaugural exercise, held from May 13-19, challenged the squadron’s ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations in austere environments, strengthening their readiness for global contingency missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Levi Reynolds)

The exercise included scenarios such as simulated indirect fire, cargo air drops, and integration with simulated local authorities, mirroring the 721st CRS’s role in supporting operations like those seen in past missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Haiti. Airmen also practiced operating with minimal equipment, aligning with the unit’s ethos of light, lean and agile response.


The 721st CRS’s successful execution of its first internal exercise underscores its growing capability to support Air Mobility Command’s mission of projecting airpower globally.