MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. – In a significant demonstration of enterprise leadership in advanced capabilities, the California Air National Guard’s 163rd Attack Wing spearheaded MQ-9 operations during Exercise Resolute Force Pacific, or REFORPAC.
REFORPAC is the U.S. Air Force’s largest-ever contingency response exercise in the Pacific. As a leader in MQ-9 readiness, the wing's participation in this large-scale exercise in the Indo-Pacific region alongside active component U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps personnel underscores the 163rd Attack Wing’s commitment to developing and implementing cutting-edge technologies and strategies to ensure our relevance and success in every domain we fight in.
"Our participation in REFORAC demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific,” said Lt. Col. Sharon Cortney, 163rd Attack Wing operations group commander. “Our integration with allied nations showcases our shared objectives and demonstrates our agility to respond to contingencies around the world. The 163rd Attack Wing is committed to finding innovative solutions with the MQ-9 by adapting our tactics and strategies to meet the unique challenges of this dynamic environment."
Throughout Exercise Resolute Force Pacific, the 163rd Attack Wing fostered seamless partnerships with allied nations, embodying a commitment to a truly agile and responsive combat force across the Indo-Pacific. Embracing the challenges of operating in complex environments, from the maritime domain to the expansive Pacific Island chain, the 163rd Attack Wing stands poised to demonstrate its operational readiness.
Concurrently, the 163rd Attack Wing hosted Airmen from the 492nd Attack Squadron, our U.S. Air Force total-force integrated partners, U.S. Marine Corps, alongside Air National Guard members from Arkansas, Iowa, Texas and New York, to cultivate highly adaptable MQ-9 teams. These collaborative efforts will maximize force readiness and effectiveness, ensuring a decisive response to adapt and sustain MQ-9 operations in the Indo-Pacific.
“Sustaining MQ-9 operations during REFORPAC, and across INDOPACOM [U.S. Indo-Pacific Command] takes more than just skill, it takes confidence, teamwork and trust in our training. As the maintenance lead, my focus is making sure our Airmen are equipped to operate in any environment, with the tools and agile mindset to get the job done right the first time,” said Master Sgt. Eric Hurley, 163rd Attack Wing maintenance tactics superintendent. “That kind of readiness doesn’t just keep our birds in the fight, it strengthens our ability to support our allies and partners across the region. When we show up mission ready, we send a clear message: We’re reliable, we’re capable and we’re in this together.”
The 163rd Attack Wing's commitment to maintaining a Ready Airman and Ready Force is underpinned by its capacity to cultivate highly agile, multi-capable Airmen, prepared for rapid deployment and effective operation in diverse global environments. Exercises such as REFORPAC offer invaluable opportunities to rigorously test Airmen's skills and adaptability in challenging, remote Pacific locations.