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The 321st Contingency Response Squadron conducted exercise Gilded Cage 26-1 at Westover Air Reserve Base from December 1-6, 2025, involving 113 Airmen in a simulated humanitarian aid scenario while ensuring security against adversarial threats in cold weather. Key objectives included manning defensive positions, developing base defense plans, and testing small Unmanned Aerial Systems for force protection.

The exercise also featured joint training with U.S. Marine Corps and Air National Guard units for sling load and drop zone operations.