U.S. National Guard Conducts First HIMARS Rapid Infiltration Cross-Country Training Exercise
From June 6-13, 2026, the Michigan Army National Guard and Rhode Island Air National Guard executed a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) exercise, airlifting an M142 HIMARS launcher over 3,200 km from Alpena, Michigan to Fort Irwin, California. The drill simulated a deep precision strike and rapid extraction, part of the first Minuteman Rotation at the National Training Center. This joint training integrates National Guard and active-duty forces, demonstrating enhanced air-mobile artillery survivability and rapid-response capabilities inspired by combat lessons from Ukraine.
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National Guard troops fly HIMARS 2,000 miles for rapid strike training
The article reports on a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) exercise conducted from June 6-13, involving the Rhode Island Air National Guard and Michigan Army National Guard. A M142 HIMARS was airlifted 2,000 miles from Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan to Fort Irwin, California, via a C-130J. The drill simulated a rapid artillery strike followed by immediate extraction to avoid counterattack, exemplifying the 'shoot-and-scoot' tactic. This was part of the new Minuteman Rotation, a high-intensity training program integrating National Guard and active-duty forces at the National Training Center. The exercise aimed to test rapid deployment, survivability, and precision-fire capabilities in degraded conditions. The article also contextualizes this within broader U.S. military efforts to rapidly project heavy firepower, including similar exercises in the Aleutian Islands and with Japanese forces.
Task & PurposeNational Guard troops fly HIMARS 2,000 miles for rapid strike training
From June 6-13, 2026, the Rhode Island Air National Guard and Michigan Army National Guard conducted a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) exercise, flying an M142 HIMARS launcher over 2,000 miles from Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan to Fort Irwin, California. The weapon was offloaded from a C-130J at the National Training Center, simulating a rapid artillery strike before extraction. This drill was part of the new Minuteman Rotation, which integrates National Guard units with active-duty forces in high-intensity combat scenarios. The tactic, called 'shoot-and-scoot,' aims to counter modern sensors and long-range threats by quickly inserting and withdrawing precision firepower. The military has conducted similar rapid-deployment tests, including a September 2024 HIMARS deployment to Alaska's Aleutian Islands.
Task & PurposeNational Guard troops fly HIMARS 2,000 miles for rapid strike training
The article reports on a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) exercise conducted from June 6-13, 2025, by the Rhode Island Air National Guard and Michigan Army National Guard. Troops flew an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) over 2,000 miles from Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. The exercise was part of the new Minuteman Rotation, which integrates National Guard units with active-duty forces for high-intensity combat training. The HIRAIN drill simulated a rapid deployment, artillery strike, and quick extraction to avoid counterattack, demonstrating the 'shoot-and-scoot' tactic at extreme speed and distance. The military emphasized that static artillery is highly vulnerable in the era of modern sensors and long-range strike capabilities. The article also references similar rapid deployment exercises in 2024, including a HIMARS deployment to the Aleutian Islands and joint US-Japanese island defense drills.
Task & PurposeU.S. National Guard Flies HIMARS Cross-Country for Simulated Deep Strike Training
Michigan Army National Guard soldiers loaded a HIMARS rocket artillery launcher onto a C-130J transport aircraft in Michigan and flew it over 3,200 km (2,000 miles) to Fort Irwin, California, where they executed simulated precision strikes before extracting. The exercise, conducted June 6-13, 2026, as part of NTC rotation 26-08, marked the first-ever Minuteman Rotation at the National Training Center, integrating National Guard HIMARS deep fires with the active-duty 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The operation was a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) event, a joint Army-Air National Guard tactic designed to rapidly insert a precision-fire platform into austere locations, execute strikes, and extract before enemy forces can respond. The Rhode Island Air National Guard's 143d Airlift Wing provided the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The training demonstrates the U.S. military's investment in extending HIMARS reach and survivability through air mobility, a concept validated by Ukraine's effective use of HIMARS against Russian targets.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsU.S. National Guard Flies HIMARS Cross-Country for Simulated Deep Strike Training
Michigan Army National Guard soldiers loaded a HIMARS rocket artillery launcher onto a C-130J transport aircraft in Michigan and flew it over 3,200 km (2,000 miles) to Fort Irwin, California, where they executed simulated precision strikes before extracting. The exercise, conducted June 6-13, 2026, as part of NTC rotation 26-08, marked the first-ever Minuteman Rotation at the National Training Center, integrating National Guard HIMARS deep fires with the active-duty 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The operation was a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HIRAIN) event, a joint Army-Air National Guard tactic designed to rapidly insert a precision-fire platform into austere locations, execute strikes, and extract before enemy forces can respond. The Air Force component was provided by the Rhode Island Air National Guard's 143d Airlift Wing flying C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The training demonstrates the U.S. military's investment in extending HIMARS capabilities through air mobility, a tactic proven effective in Ukraine.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense News