Air Force narrows field of MQ-1/9 base contenders
Three bases have been chosen as candidates for the remote MQ-1/9 split operations squadron, which Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz will select in December 2011.
Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., are the three bases under consideration for an active duty Air Force MQ-1/9 remote split operations squadron, according to the Defense Department.
The base chosen will receive an active duty MQ-1/9 RSO squadron, including 280 staff members and necessary equipment, and will oversee MQ-1/9 Predator/Reaper aircraft operations. No remotely piloted aircraft will be assigned to the base under this action, only a ground control station, the announcement said.
After Air Combat Command completes comprehensive evaluations of the bases, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who jointly approved the three candidates, will select the base in December 2011.