220331-F-RJ686-1636
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Patrick Nobles, the 3rd Maintenance Group deputy commander, celebrates retirement after participating in Polar Force 22-4 on a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 3rd Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 31, 2022. This is the first Polar Force to be led by the 3rd Wing, with the primary focus on developing Agile Combat Employment and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces’ ability to fight in a contested, anti-access area denial environment. Operationalizing readiness-enhancing concepts like ACE is critical to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)