SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The New York Air National Guard’s 174th Fighter Wing has been selected as the location for the Air National Guard's MQ-9 Reaper Formal Training Unit mission, Air Force official announced Aug. 4.
To help meet Total Force requirements necessary to fulfill the demand for operational combat air patrols, the Air National Guard will add this as a formal training unit mission.
The Air Force intends to locate an MQ-9 formal training unit, consisting of 44 additional full-time personnel and 5 contractors, at the wing. The wing currently provides MQ-9 training to maintenance personnel from the Air Force, the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard.
The mission of the training unit will be to provide MQ-9 formal training to remotely piloted aircraft pilots and sensor operators from across the Air Force.
Site survey teams evaluated the location for feasibility, timing, cost and planning purposes to meet initial operational capability requirements. The Air Force secretary and Air Force chief of staff carefully considered the site survey results and other military judgment factors in making this decision.
"We're pleased that the Air Force has chosen the New York Air National Guard and the 174th Fighter Wing to perform this important mission," said Army Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, the adjutant general of New York.
"This is a vote of confidence in our Airmen and in their professionalism. It complements the MQ-9 maintenance training already done at the base," Murphy said.
Air Force Col. Kevin Bradley, the commander of the 174th Fighter Wing, feels this selection will be a useful tool for the Air Force and was a good addition to their current mission.
"The addition of the pilot training mission is a natural extension of our MQ-9 Field Training Detachment which has been active since October 2009," he said.
"This mission represents a positive economic impact for our community with the addition of 44 full-time military personnel and five contractors at the wing,” Bradley said. “I speak for the men and women of Hancock Field when I say we are both proud and humbled by the confidence placed in us by the Air Force, the Air National Guard, and New York state leadership.”