US military airlifts Valar Atomics Ward 250 reactor to Utah in historic first nuclear transport

Valar Atomics/Ward 250 (HTGR Demonstration Reactor)

A C-17 Globemaster III military aircraft transported Ward 250 from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah on February 15, 2026. The 5 MW reactor was then transported to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in Emery County for testing. Energy Secretary Chris Wright accompanied the flight, calling it a milestone for nuclear logistics and clean energy independence.