New Hampshire Air Guard Airmen's Secret Role in Operation Epic Fury Revealed

Published Jun 22, 2026, 5:50 PM EDT

Despite operating far from the front lines, tanker crews like those from the 157th Air Refueling Wing play a critical role in modern air campaigns.

Airmen from the New Hampshire Air National Guard returned home this past weekend after deploying earlier this year to the Middle East in support of the United States' military operation against Iran coined "Operation Epic Fury." The airmen, assigned to the 157th Air Refueling Wing, deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The unit returned to its home station at Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington, N.H., the New Hampshire National Guard said in a social media post on Sunday. The 157th Air Refueling Wing and its active-duty associate unit, the 64th Air Refueling Squadron, are based at Pease and support aerial refueling missions as part of the Air Force's total force. "As part of the total force, the New Hampshire Air National Guard continues to support operations around the globe," the New Hampshire National Guard said in the post.

NH Air Guard Deployed In Support Of Epic Fury Airmen from the 157th Air Refueling Wing deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Epic Fury. (photo credit 157th ARW Public Affairs).