NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. – The 107th Attack Wing here announced its redesignation as it officially became an attack wing during a Tuesday ceremony.
The 107th is a component of the New York Air National Guard.
Having been an airlift wing since July, 2008, the change in name is the latest step in the transition from flying the C-130 Hercules, to the MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft. The new designation is another milestone of the conversion since the last C-130H was flown by the 107th in September 2014.
"From our beginnings in 1946 as a fighter group, we have changed missions and names many times over the past 70 years," said Col. Robert G. Kilgore, commander of the 107th ATKW. "All of these names have been significant in representing the contributions we make to our nation's defense."
Despite the name just now being changed, many Airmen of the 107th have been actively engaged in the MQ-9 since ending the airlift mission almost three years ago.
There are pilots here who have been flying the MQ-9 for almost three years, said Kilgore. We have embraced the newest cutting-edge technology and we are proud to add this new chapter to the legacy of the 107th, said Kilgore.
With the change in designation being official March 15, another event also took place that day. The 107th Maintenance Group, along with its squadrons, was officially deactivated as of the same day.
"As a former maintenance group commander it is sad to see that element go away," said Kilgore. "I hope someday we can get aircraft stationed here again and dust those flags off."
The hope is that the 107th ATKW can someday gain a launch and recovery element where Airmen can train on launching and landing the MQ-9. Until then, the 107th ATKW will continue to fly the aircraft without a wheel ever taking off or touching down at Niagara.
With the loss of a maintenance group, two new squadrons were gained which gives the capabilities of the 107th ATKW an even wider scope. The 274th Air Support Operations Squadron and the 222nd Command and Control Squadron were both gained by the wing last year.
The 274th ASOS provides Airmen with such specialties as joint terminal attack controllers who can direct close air support for U.S. forces and our allies. Meanwhile, the 222nd CACS provides support for space operations under the National Reconnaissance Office.
The MQ-9 mission is the latest in a long history of the wing always being at the forefront of answering our nation's call. From flying over the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, to Vietnam and the War on Terror, the 107th ATKW has left a proud legacy.
"Our legacy has already been established over the years having gone from fighters to interceptors to air refueling and airlift," said Kilgore. "We are a group of proud Americans continuing that legacy."