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163rd Reconnaissance Wing Unveils New RPA Hangar

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Julie Avey
  • 163rd Public Affairs Office
VICTORVILLE, Ca. (6/15/12) --  On June 15, 2012 under blue Southern California skies, an MQ-1 predator orbited overhead Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) performing a normal training sortie as military and civic leaders celebrated the grand opening of a new 17,500 square foot hangar facility below. Hosted by the Adjutant General for the California Military Department, Major General David S. Baldwin and 163rd Reconnaissance Wing Commander, Colonel Randall Ball, the ribbon cutting ceremony dedicated a new 5 million dollar, state-of-the-art, remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) hangar which is the first of its kind in the Air National Guard.

In his presentation to the guests at the ribbon cutting Colonel Ball tied the capabilities the 163rd brings to the table saying, "This mission protects our troops overseas and assists the state and communities in times of natural or man-made crisis."

The planning for this non-collocated Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) facility began in 2006 when it became clear the National Airspace System was not yet ready for routine operation of RPA in and around urban areas like those at March ARB. Criteria for the site included population density, runway dimensions, commute time from March ARB, and flight time to the military training airspace. Negotiations with the City of Victorville and SCLA management began in 2008 culminating with an agreement to utilize a jet engine test facility, "hush house," at SCLA as the interim operating facility pending lease and construction of a permanent location. Site development plans and the design of the new hangar began in early 2009 with Congressional appropriation for construction funds received in fiscal year 2010. With the steadfast community support, the project came to fruition and was completed earlier this year.

Speaking at the dedication, the San Bernadino County First District Supervisor, Brad Metzelfelt, voiced his district's strong support for the 163 RW noting the significant positive impact the military presence brings to the local High Desert communities. Community appreciation and support was echoed by many of the civic leaders and local government officials attending the event.

In his keynote comments Major General Baldwin emphasized the military relationship saying, "Our National Guard is a community based organization here to serve. We take very seriously the integration and partnering with our communities because it's those communities that our soldiers and airman work in and live in every day. It's those communities we are committed to protecting first and foremost."

The move to the new facilities will accommodate two MQ-9 Reapers or three MQ-1 Predators inside the hangar and an additional two Reapers or five Predators inside the adjacent fabric "big top" hangar. In addition, the opportunity for expanding SCLA capabilities utilizing the vacated "hush house" site offers greater promise as an alternate facility for launch and recovery or flight test operations. The ideal weather, close proximity to vast military airspace and joint training opportunities utilizing the National Training Center at Fort Irwin make SCLA a great fit.

"The move to the Hangar avails a newly renovated launch and recovery facility. The expanded facilities, complete with new fire suppression equipment, can accommodate either 2 MQ-9 or 4 MQ-1 aircraft for deployed "Snowbird" Operations; where another unit can launch and recover airplanes in the temperate, high desert climate to support reach-back RPA operations," said Colonel Kirby Colas, 163rd Maintenance Group Commander.

Although the primary mission at SCLA is to support the formal training of USAF and ANG RPA pilots and sensor operators, the peacetime roles that RPA are playing to support Department of Defense and interagency partners domestically are emerging rapidly. Natural disasters, search and rescue operations and combating threats like narcotics trafficking are all ideally suited for RPA support.

Expanding on this theme Major General Baldwin commented, "I'll be the first to say that everyone here wearing a uniform swore to defend the Constitution which protects our civil liberties and we are not going to violate people's civil liberties using these platforms. What we are going to do instead is to bring this tremendous capability to save lives and protect property. The first search and rescue mission was conducted out of New Mexico using a Reaper where they flew in unrestricted air space and saved the lives of kayakers who were lost and got into some trouble. This is the kind of capability we need here in California with the aircraft we have flying out of the training unit here at SCLA."

The dedication ceremony marked yet another milestone for RPA with the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing and the California Air National Guard on the leading edge of this sunrise mission.