163d Reconnaissance Wing
Encyclopedia
The 163d Reconnaissance Wing is a wing
of the United States Air Force
located at March Joint Air Reserve Base
, California
. It is a component of the California Air National Guard
, and is one of the first ANG units to fly the MQ-1 Predator. The unit was featured in an ABC News story on January 12, 2010.
"The Air National Guard's increasing contribution in Predator operations embodies the National Guard's dedication to stay out front in the up-to-the-minute and rising missions of our time," said ANG Director Lt Gen Craig McKinley. "The [unmanned aerial vehicle] mission illustrates the shared relationship we will continue to foster with our states and our Air Force." The 163 RW is scheduled to have all 12 of its MQ-1s in FY '10. The wing will have one operational squadron, the 196th Reconnaissance Squadron
. Still to be determined is how the training portions of the wing will be organized and the details of command authorities and how the wing will be integrated into the Air Force's rotational Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment packages. March ARB is located about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The wing will operate its MQ-1s out of March but use the restricted airspace near Edwards AFB, also in southern California, for training. The 163 RW will fly its Predators under the service's "remote split operations" approach. This means that the aircraft and a contingent of maintainers are deployed forward, along with some pilots to handle takeoffs and landings. However, the majority of the pilots remains stateside and operates the aircraft via satellite communications links.
"The unique characteristics that the Guard and Reserve bring to the fight provide economies of scale in experience, stability and cost savings and, as such, significantly enhance the Air Force's ability to accomplish our mission. One team, one fight," said Lt. Gen. Raymond E. Johns, Jr.
, deputy chief of staff for Plans and Programs on the Air Staff. The Air Force also intends to establish ANG Predator units in Arizona, New York, North Dakota and Texas, in addition to the active-duty squadrons it operates out of bases in Nevada.
Wing (air force unit)
Wing is a term used by different military aviation forces for a unit of command. The terms wing, group or Staffel are used for different-sized units from one country or service to another....
of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
located at March Joint Air Reserve Base
March Joint Air Reserve Base
March Joint Air Reserve Base is located in Riverside County, California between the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command's 4th Air Force Headquarters and the 452d Air Mobility Wing , the largest air mobility wing of the 4th Air Force...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It is a component of the California Air National Guard
California Air National Guard
The California Air National Guard is the air component of the California National Guard. The California Air National Guard is headquartered at Sacramento, California.One of the duties of the California Air National Guard is defense of the United States...
, and is one of the first ANG units to fly the MQ-1 Predator. The unit was featured in an ABC News story on January 12, 2010.
Mission
To execute global unmanned aerial systems, combat support, and humanitarian missions by Air National Guard men and women.History
The Air Force and Air National Guard (ANG) formally stood up the first of several ANG units that will operate the MQ-1 Predator armed unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. During a ceremony 28 November 2007, at March Air Reserve Base in southern California, the California ANG's 163d Air Refueling Wing officially became the 163d Reconnaissance Wing (RW), taking on the Predator mission in place of operating KC-135R Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft which it had done since the 1990s. The wing's last KC-135R tanker left in April, and although the unit was not expected to receive the first of its 12 planned Predators until FY '09, it has trained Predator operators since August flying active-duty units' MQ-1s that are supporting combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and has additional personnel in training."The Air National Guard's increasing contribution in Predator operations embodies the National Guard's dedication to stay out front in the up-to-the-minute and rising missions of our time," said ANG Director Lt Gen Craig McKinley. "The [unmanned aerial vehicle] mission illustrates the shared relationship we will continue to foster with our states and our Air Force." The 163 RW is scheduled to have all 12 of its MQ-1s in FY '10. The wing will have one operational squadron, the 196th Reconnaissance Squadron
196th Reconnaissance Squadron
The 196th Reconnaissance Squadron is a unit of the California Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing.-Mission:The 196th Reconnaissance Squadron's primary mission is to support the war on terrorism by providing reconnaissance, flying the MQ-1 Predator, 24 hours a day, 7...
. Still to be determined is how the training portions of the wing will be organized and the details of command authorities and how the wing will be integrated into the Air Force's rotational Air and Space Expeditionary Force deployment packages. March ARB is located about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The wing will operate its MQ-1s out of March but use the restricted airspace near Edwards AFB, also in southern California, for training. The 163 RW will fly its Predators under the service's "remote split operations" approach. This means that the aircraft and a contingent of maintainers are deployed forward, along with some pilots to handle takeoffs and landings. However, the majority of the pilots remains stateside and operates the aircraft via satellite communications links.
"The unique characteristics that the Guard and Reserve bring to the fight provide economies of scale in experience, stability and cost savings and, as such, significantly enhance the Air Force's ability to accomplish our mission. One team, one fight," said Lt. Gen. Raymond E. Johns, Jr.
Raymond E. Johns, Jr.
General Raymond Edward Johns Jr., USAF is the current Commander, Air Mobility Command. He previously served as the Air Force's Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs from October 2006 to November 16, 2009. General Johns leads Air Mobility Command's mission to provide rapid, global...
, deputy chief of staff for Plans and Programs on the Air Staff. The Air Force also intends to establish ANG Predator units in Arizona, New York, North Dakota and Texas, in addition to the active-duty squadrons it operates out of bases in Nevada.
Major Command
- Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(2007–Present) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Mobility CommandAir Mobility CommandAir Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....
(1993–2007) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(1992–1993) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Tactical Air CommandTactical Air CommandTactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...
(1975–1992) - Air National GuardAir National GuardThe Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
/Aerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense CommandAerospace Defense Command is an inactive United States Air Force Major Command. Established in 1946 under the United States Army Air Forces, its mission was to organize and administer the integrated air defense system of the Continental United States , exercise direct control of all active...
(1954–1975)
Previous designations
- 163d Reconnaissance Wing (2007–Present)
- 163d Air Refueling Wing (1995–2007)
- 163d Air Refueling Group (1993–1995)
- 163d Fighter Group (1992–1993)
- 163d Tactical Fighter Group (1982–1992)
- 163d Tactical Air Support Group (1975–1982)
- 163d Fighter Interceptor Group (1958–1975)
Squadrons assigned
- 196th Reconnaissance Squadron196th Reconnaissance SquadronThe 196th Reconnaissance Squadron is a unit of the California Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing.-Mission:The 196th Reconnaissance Squadron's primary mission is to support the war on terrorism by providing reconnaissance, flying the MQ-1 Predator, 24 hours a day, 7...
(2007–Present) - 196th Air Refueling Squadron (1993–1995)
- 196th Fighter Squadron (1992–1993)
- 196th Tactical Fighter Squadron (1982–1992)
- 196th Tactical Air Support Squadron (1975–1982)
- 196th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (1954–1975)
Bases stationed
- March Joint Air Reserve BaseMarch Joint Air Reserve BaseMarch Joint Air Reserve Base is located in Riverside County, California between the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command's 4th Air Force Headquarters and the 452d Air Mobility Wing , the largest air mobility wing of the 4th Air Force...
(2003–Present) - March Air Reserve BaseMarch Air Reserve BaseMarch Joint Air Reserve Base is located in Riverside County, California between the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. It is the home to the Air Force Reserve Command's 4th Air Force Headquarters and the 452d Air Mobility Wing , the largest air mobility wing of the 4th Air Force...
(1996–2003) - March Air Force Base (1982–1996)
- Ontario International AirportOntario International AirportLA/Ontario International Airport , formerly Ontario International Airport, is a public airport located east of the central business district of Ontario, a city in San Bernardino County, California, USA. This airport is owned and operated by the Los Angeles World Airports , an agency of the city...
(1954–1982)
Aircraft & Missiles Operated
- MQ-1 Predator (2007–Present)
- KC-135R Stratotanker (???-2007)
- KC-135E Stratotanker (1993-???)
- F-4E Phantom II (1987–1993)
- F-4C Phantom II (1982–1987)
- 0-2A/B Skymaster (1975–1982)
- F-102 Delta DaggerF-102 Delta DaggerThe Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets...
(1965–1975) - F-86 SabreF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
(1954–1965) - F-51H Mustang (1954-???)