Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Syracuse-based Airmen hit 60,000 hours of MQ-9 flight time By New York National Guard
 HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – The Airmen of the 138th Attack Squadron, part of the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing, hit the milestone of 60,000 hours flying unmanned MQ-9 Reapers in combat at the end of November. That 60,000-hour figure isn’t like the odometer turning over in a car, explained Air National Guard Maj. Elliot Sanders, the assistant director for operations for the squadron. It represents a lot of time and effort by many Airmen. “Each of those hours requires a team of 10 or so people – pilots, sensor operators and intelligence coordinators – actively engaged in close air support or reconnaissance overwatch,” he said. “In other words, those hours are spent supporting the warfighter on the ground.” Lt. Col. Nathaniel Johnson, 138th Attack Squadron commander, called the achievement “a really significant milestone. It’s literally 2,500 days of keeping an aircraft in the air, watching our enemies, protecting our allies, and keeping America safe.” That is the equivalent of 20,000 or 30,000 sorties conducted by conventional manned fighters, he added. The MQ-9 Reaper is what the Air Force calls a remotely piloted aircraft. The 36-foot-long aircraft, with a 66-foot wingspan, is controlled via satellite link by a pilot and sensor operator at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base. The flying hours also represent the work of maintenance personnel at air bases around the world who provide ground support for the aircraft controlled remotely by the U.S.-based aircrews, Sanders explained. The MQ-9 can find enemy forces or individuals, track them on the ground, and attack if required, using a Multi-Spectral Targeting System, which includes an infrared sensor, TV cameras that can track objects miles away, and a laser rangefinder and target designator. The aircraft is armed with Hellfire missiles and satellite-guided bombs to strike targets on the ground. In fiscal year 2020, the Air Force maintained 70 MQ-9 combat air patrols over American and allied forces operating throughout the world. National Guard attack wings like the 174th Attack Wing and the New York Air National Guard’s 107th Attack Wing, based in Niagara Falls, flew 20 percent of those missions, according to the National Guard Bureau. The Air Force strives to maintain 60 MQ-9 aircraft overwatching American forces around the world. The 138th Attack Squadron traces its history to 1947 when it was organized as a fighter squadron flying World War II-era F-47D fighters and charged with defending northern and central New York from attack. In 1950, the unit switched to jet fighters and continued to upgrade to new aircraft. The wing flew combat missions during Operation Desert Storm, and in 2001, F-16’s from the 174th were some of the first fighter jets scrambled after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. In 2008, the decision was made to transition the 174th Fighter Wing from F-16s to the MQ-9. In 2010, the F-16s were retired and the wing and the 138th Attack Squadron switched to flying the MQ-9. “We were the first Guard unit to fly Reapers,” said Johnson. “We’re still doing it to protect our families from terrorist threats that train in ungoverned parts of the world.” “I have an immense sense of gratitude to all the Air National Guard men and women and the civilians and contractors of the 174th Attack Wing that enable us to continue doing our part," Johnson said.
 SHARE
 PRINT
  New York Air National Guard
 MQ-9
 
 New York Air Guard Members Recognized for Lifesaving Actions
 By Maj. Suzanne Jedrosko,
  Air National Guard Wings Participate in Agile Rage Exercise
 By Staff Sgt. Sean Madden,
  NY Air Guard Chief Completes Memorial Bataan Death March
 By Senior Airman Rebekah Wilson,
  More
 Idaho Air Guard Conducts Panther Shadow Exercise5/3/2024Massachusetts Guard Helps Host Crisis Leadership Seminar5/2/2024Massachusetts Air Guard Airmen Test New Air Combat Tactics5/2/2024 View more Guard News »
 Vermont Army Guard Soldiers Attend Brazilian Mountain School5/3/2024
New York Army Guard Soldiers Heading to North Africa4/30/2024
Pennsylvania National Guard Members Deploy to Africa4/19/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 North Carolina Guard Welcomes New Zambian State Partnership5/3/2024

Guard Leaders Stress NCOs Role in State Partnership Program5/3/2024

Enduring Partners 2024 Begins with Thai-US Airmen Exchange5/2/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil