Holding down the fort: ANG civil engineers complete base defense training
Ft. Devens Army Reserve Training Center, Mass. – The sharp pop of gunfire echoed across the South Post training area as more than 200 U.S. Air National Guard civil engineers moved through the field under the scorching August sun.
The scene was part of Integrated Base Defense training, one of four modules conducted during Region 1’s Patriot Forge II field exercise at Fort Devens, Aug. 10–15, 2026.
For participants, the base defense scenario reinforced a reality of expeditionary operations: Airmen are expected to be multi-capable, able to complete their individual engineering specialties and have the skills to protect themselves, their fellow Airmen and the assets needed to accomplish the mission.
“Base defense is becoming a primary duty of civil engineers,” said Tech. Sgt. Alexander Lane, a fire protection specialist with the 157th Civil Engineering Squadron and one of the course instructors. “We are the first ones in, last ones out. With the ever-evolving world, our duties keep growing.”
First held in 2024, Patriot Forge II brought together civil engineer Airmen from across the northeast to build a cohesive, multi-unit force capable of performing core expeditionary engineering and combat support tasks in contested environments.
The training event was organized through the Region 1 Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Working Group. Members assigned to the 101st Air Refueling Wing from Maine, 157th ARW from New Hampshire, 102nd Intelligence Wing from Massachusetts, and 103rd Airlift Wing from Connecticut converged here.
During the first portion of the course, participating Airmen reviewed the essentials of base operations and concepts related to entry control point operation – traffic management, defensive fighting positions, vehicle and personnel search protocols, and reacting to contact with unfriendly forces.
As the training progressed, students applied those concepts in increasingly complex and realistic scenarios. For Master Sgt. Jordan Thompson, the lead course instructor, mirroring deployed and austere circumstances was a priority.
“It’s everyone’s job to defend the base,” said Thompson, a communications specialist with the 157th CES who also has ten years of Security Forces experience. “The warrior mindset is very important. It’s not just going out and digging holes. Just because you get deployed to a location in which you feel safe, it doesn’t mean you are. You should always be ready.”
To apply defensive contact protocol, Airmen loaded their weapons with simulated rounds and put on protective gear. As one team defended an entry control point, another stormed the base.
“It really felt realistic,” said Staff. Sgt. Mike Ehnes, an HVAC specialist with the 102nd IW. “It really puts into perspective having live fire, what it might be like out there. [This type of training] gets us physically, mentally and emotionally prepared for what a deployed environment.”
For Ehnes, realistic practice and integration make all the difference when preparing for deployment and ensuring readiness.
Patriot Forge II was created to build combat-capable Airmen who can adapt as warfare evolves and adversaries change.
“I would like them to understand that this is a reality for the Air Force,” said Lane. “It’s not just coming to drill and then going home. We can all go overseas, and it’s not all fun and games when missiles are coming in.”
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