HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base officials will conduct a readiness exercise this summer to evaluate the installation’s ability to respond to threats, deploy forces rapidly, and sustain operations under contested conditions.
The exercise, designated Midnight Ride 2025, will feature a series of scenarios in July and August, ranging from deployment processing to field-based contingencies.
“Conducting exercises like Midnight Ride are how we validate our ability to fight,” said Thomas Ruud, 66th Air Base Group Inspector General. “By pushing the envelope here at home station, we ensure our team is prepared to execute the mission forward, no matter the environment.”
Participants will engage in scenarios designed to simulate real-world complexities, including personnel deployment, emergency response, and operations in degraded environments.
Officials say the exercise is a critical tool in supporting the Department of Defense’s broader effort to maintain military readiness in an era of strategic competition.
“This is about more than checking a box, we’re deliberately matching our capabilities to realistic threats,” said Master Sgt. Kenneth Souheaver, 66 ABG IG superintendent. “The goal is to challenge our workforce in meaningful ways, reinforcing our readiness and ability to deter aggression wherever it may arise.”
As part of the exercise, personnel will complete all pre-deployment actions, complete readiness requirements, and participate in scenario-based field training.
In addition to physical readiness, the exercise will assess coordination across installation support, emergency management, security forces, medical, legal, and finance functions.
Some disruption to normal base operations is expected, including temporary gate closures and reduced availability of customer service functions. Officials ask for patience from the base community and emphasize that all disruptions will be kept to a minimum necessary to preserve exercise realism.
“We understand these scenarios may cause some inconvenience, but the benefits to our overall preparedness are significant,” Ruud said. “In today’s operating environment, the cost of unpreparedness is far greater than any temporary disruption.”
Throughout the exercise, safety remains a top priority. Wing Inspection Team members, identifiable by blue vests, will oversee all activities, and any real-world emergency will result in an immediate suspension of the exercise.
For questions or concerns about Midnight Ride ‘25, contact the 66th Air Base Group Inspector General’s office at 66.ABG.IG.Workflow@us.af.mil.