MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. (AFPN) - Kansas became home to "America's newest intelligence center,"the largest intelligence processing center in the Air National Guard, on Aug. 16.
The state-of-the-art Distributed Ground Systemintelligence facility at McConnell Air Force Base will be the permanent home to the Kansas ANG's 161st Intelligence Squadron. The 161st IS, a part of the 184th Air Refueling Wing, has been performing the DGS mission at other locations worldwide since 2003.
With the addition of this full-spectrum, high-tech intelligence center, those same Guardsmen will now be able to serve locally while still supporting the fight on terror globally.
"This is more good news for Kansas, and we should all be proud of the Kansas Air Guard's ability to step up and meet the challenge to serve yet once again," said Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
"No other unit in the nation has proven itself more adaptive to change and more capable of quickly developing high-level capabilities important to America's defense," said Kansas Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting. "This ribbon-cutting is a testament to the hard work, skill and tenacity of the members of the 184th."
"This intelligence center and the Kansas Guardsmen that will work in it are absolutely critical to America's ability to win the war on terror," said Col. Randy Roebuck,184th ARW commander.
The DGS mission provides intelligence processing, exploitation and dissemination designed to supply actionable intelligence in near-real-time.
"In a dangerous and chaotic world, it's comforting to know we have the best people with the best equipment in the best facility, working day and night to protect America and our troops," Colonel Roebuck said.
The new facility is the first of its kind to be specifically designed for the most modern DGS intelligence equipment available.