Air National Guard to Host Major Combat Training Exercise Across Mississippi

Sentry South 26-2 exercise to involve 1,100 service members from active-duty, National Guard and reserve components

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Air National Guard will host the Sentry South 26-2 training exercise from February 20 through March 6 at multiple locations across Mississippi, including the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center and the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center. The large-scale combat training exercise will involve approximately 1,100 service members from active-duty, National Guard and reserve components of the U.S. military.

Why it matters

This joint training exercise is designed to prepare U.S. military forces for major combat operations and maritime challenges in a contested or degraded environment. The training will help ensure the readiness and interoperability of active-duty, National Guard and reserve components across the armed services.

The details

Sentry South 26-2 is a Large Force Employment exercise focused on major combat operations and joint maritime opportunities. The training will apply joint and combined warfighting doctrine against realistic and robust enemy integrated threat systems under safe and controlled conditions. Residents near the training sites may notice increased military activity, including additional aircraft operations, low-flying helicopters and elevated noise levels.

  • The exercise will take place from February 20 through March 6, 2026.
  • Training will occur at facilities in Gulfport, Camp Shelby and other locations around the state of Mississippi.

The players

Air National Guard

The Air National Guard is the air force militia of the United States, organized at the state level. It serves as both a federal military reserve force and a state defense force.

Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center

A training facility operated by the Air National Guard in Gulfport, Mississippi that provides realistic combat training for air crews and ground forces.

Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center

A training facility operated by the Mississippi National Guard in Hattiesburg, Mississippi that provides training opportunities for active-duty, National Guard and reserve components of the U.S. military.

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The takeaway

This large-scale military exercise demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the U.S. armed forces to maintain a high level of readiness and interoperability across active-duty, National Guard and reserve components. The training will help ensure that American forces are prepared to respond effectively to a range of potential combat scenarios.