Rep. Takano Applauds Prioritization of March Air Reserve Base for MQ-9 Reapers

Washington DC – The United States Air Force and the National Guard Bureau have chosen the California National Guard’s 163^rd Reconnaissance Wing, located at March Air Reserve Base, to receive the next tranche of MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). This is especially important as they replace the current aging MQ-1 Predator assets at March.

 

Last year, Rep. Takano (D-Riverside), along with Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) and Rep. Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley), included language in the House National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would prioritize bases with formal training units, schools that train pilots and sensor operators like those at March Air Reserve Base. The bipartisan group has also been working closely alongside the California Military Department to accomplish this.

 

“I’m incredibly pleased that the United States Air Force has chosen March Air Reserve Base to receive these new RPAs, which will help continue the base’s mission,” said Takano. “The men and women of the 163^rd Reconnaissance Wing at March are some of our nation’s best and brightest, and with this new asset they will be able to continue saving lives and providing crucial reconnaissance capabilities now and in the future.”

 

After the announcement, Major General David Baldwin said, “Since coming to Congress, Representative Takano has been a staunch supporter of our men and women in uniform, including those at the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing at March Air Reserve Base. I want to extend him my greatest appreciation for helping to acquire federal support for this new lifesaving air asset, both for domestic disaster missions here at home and operations overseas. This announcement will help solidify the base’s mission for years to come.” 

 

 

The MQ-9 Reaper is a turboprop-powered, multi-mission Predator B Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) developed with GA-ASI funding and provides significantly greater capabilities than the Predator. 

 

First flown in 2001, Predator B is a highly sophisticated development built on the experience gained with GA-ASI’s battle-proven Predator UAS and a major evolutionary leap in overall performance and reliability. 

 

The U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), NASA, and others have acquired this aircraft.