On February 23, 1942—barely two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor—the Japanese submarine I-17 emerged off the Central Coast and targeted a vital oil field at Ellwood. This unexpected move brought the war dramatically closer to home for Californians.

In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Air Force is conducting its largest contingency exercise ever in the Pacific Theater. The operation tests rapid deployment and sustainment capabilities across vast distances, in collaboration with international partners from six nations.