Spartan Week Gold Star family tour

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, talks about the 5th-generation stealth capabilities of an F-22 Raptor with a Gold Star family during a base tour at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 21, 2026. Willard highlighted how the aircraft's specialized radar-absorbent materials and structural design minimize its radar cross-section to maintain air superiority. This joint-base event brought together Army and Air Force personnel to offer support, fellowship and technical insight to families of fallen service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy)

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Spartan Week Gold Star family tour

A Gold Star family and tour facilitators gather at the cargo loading ramp of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during a 3rd Wing-hosted tour at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 21, 2026. The wide-area brief highlighted how the strategic transport airframe is configured to rapidly deploy troops, vehicles and heavy equipment worldwide. This joint-base event brought together Army and Air Force personnel to offer support, fellowship and technical insight to families of fallen service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy)

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Spartan Week Gold Star family tour

U.S. Army Chaplain (Maj.) Jon Graham, assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, walks alongside a member of a Gold Star family during a tour of the 176th Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 21, 2026. The event provided an opportunity for personal connection, reinforcing the community bonds built throughout the multi-unit installation tour. This joint-base event brought together Army and Air Force personnel to offer support, fellowship and technical insight to families of fallen service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy)

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Spartan Week Gold Star family tour

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Garrett Bader, the propulsion superintendent assigned to the 176th Maintenance Squadron, demonstrates the operation of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter gunner door during a base tour at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 21, 2026. The demonstration highlighted the defensive configurations and quick-access capabilities built into the airframe for rescue crews in hostile environments. This joint-base event brought together Army and Air Force personnel to offer support, fellowship and technical insight to families of fallen service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy)

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Spartan Week Gold Star family tour

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Garrett Bader, the propulsion superintendent assigned to the 176th Maintenance Squadron, reviews the search and rescue mission of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with a Gold Star family at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 21, 2026. Bader detailed how the unit utilizes the aircraft for combat search and rescue, medical evacuations and civil search operations across Alaska's rugged terrain. This joint-base event brought together Army and Air Force personnel to offer support, fellowship and technical insight to families of fallen service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy)

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Spartan Week Gold Star family tour

A Gold Star family and tour escorts stand before the loading ramp of an Alaska Air National Guard C-130J Super Hercules aircraft inside a hangar at the 176th Wing on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 21, 2026. The 3rd Wing-led tour provided the group an immersive look into the hangar environment and the inter-service teamwork required to maintain regional readiness. This joint-base event brought together Army and Air Force personnel to offer support, fellowship and technical insight to families of fallen service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy)

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Spartan Week Gold Star family tour

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 3rd Munitions Squadron, explains how ammunition is fed into the F-22 Raptor's M61A2 20mm Gatling gun system during a Gold Star family tour at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 21, 2026. Colville detailed the complex linkless ammunition handling system that prevents jams during high-rate firing maneuvers. This joint-base event brought together Army and Air Force personnel to offer support, fellowship and technical insight to families of fallen service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy)

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Spartan Week Gold Star family tour

A U.S. Air Force weapons lead crew chief assigned to the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, outlines the mechanical process of loading missiles into the internal weapons bay of an F-22 Raptor at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 21, 2026. Whittaker demonstrated the internal carriage system, which allows the aircraft to maintain its stealth profile while carrying precision-guided munitions. This joint-base event brought together Army and Air Force personnel to offer support, fellowship and technical insight to families of fallen service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy)

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Spartan Week Gold Star family tour

Published May 28, 2026
By Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, talks about the 5th-generation stealth capabilities of an F-22 Raptor with a Gold Star family during a base tour at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 21, 2026. Willard highlighted how the aircraft's specialized radar-absorbent materials and structural design minimize its radar cross-section to maintain air superiority. This joint-base event brought together Army and Air Force personnel to offer support, fellowship and technical insight to families of fallen service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Theodore Gowdy)