WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Wright-Patterson Air Force Base remains at an ‘increased readiness posture’ following Russia’s overnight attacks in Ukraine, the same stance the base has been on since tensions in western Europe reached heightened levels in late January.
“As you are already aware, Wright-Patt was identified on Jan. 27 by the Secretary of Defense as one of the installations placed on an increased readiness posture to deploy,” said Wright-Patterson Air Force 88th Air Base Wing spokeswoman Stacey Geiger. “We currently remain in that status and have not been activated.”
>> Russia attacks Ukraine: Zalensky says Russia trying to seize Chernobyl
Other Air Force bases also instructed to be on an increased readiness posture last month included: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona; Fort Hood, Texas; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Fort Polk, Louisiana; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; and Fort Stewart, Georgia.
“These units, all told, include medical support, aviation support, logistics support, and of course, combat formations,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in January. “Now, we were not going to, and we don’t intend to provide an exhaustive list of every unit that’s being placed on prepare to deploy orders.”
In August, the U.S. Air Force 445th Airlift Wing based at Wright-Patterson was placed on standby to potentially respond to evacuations in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over the country’s capital city of Kabul.
The base’s 445th Airlift Wing has made regular trips internationally using its C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to deliver supplies and return wounded troops back to the U.S. The unit has at least nine of the aircraft based in the Dayton area.
Other units based at Wright-Patt include: 88th Air Base Wing, 88th Force Support Squadron and the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Wing.