MQ-9 Readies for First Flight

A MQ-9 Reaper from the 174th Fighter Wing, New York Air National Guard, taxis in front of a Blackhawk helicopter in preparation for the MQ-9's first training flight from Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield at Ft. Drum, NY on 18 October 2011. The 174th Fighter Wing has begun flying the remotely piloted aircraft in restricted airspace around Ft. Drum to train pilots and sensor operators working from Syracuse’s Hancock Field. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ricky Best)

First Flight of MQ-9 at Ft. Drum

A MQ-9 Reaper from the 174th Fighter Wing, New York Air National Guard, taxis to the runway at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield, Ft. Drum, New York on 18 October, 2011 in preparation for its first flight. The 174th FW recently received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to begin flying training missions in airspace around Ft. Drum. (US Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ricky Best)

MQ-9 Takes to the Air

A MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 174th Fighter Wing, New York Air National Guard, Syracuse takes to the air for the first time on 18 October 2011 at Ft. Drum’s Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield. Working out of its launch and recovery site at Wheeler-Sack, the 174th will fly the remotely piloted aircraft in restricted airspace around Ft. Drum. (US Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ricky Best)

Successful First Flight of MQ-9

A MQ-9 Reaper from the 174th Fighter Wing, New York Air National Guard, returns from its first flight at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield, Ft. Drum, NY on 18 October 2011. The Wing will fly the remotely piloted aircraft in restricted airspace around Ft. Drum to train pilots and sensor operators working from Syracuse’s Hancock Field. (US Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Ricky Best)

174th Fighter Wing Opens Doors to Local Media

Published Oct. 19, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Ricky Best
174th Fighter Wing

Hancock Field Air National Guard Base -- The 174th Fighter Wing, working out of its launch and recovery site at Wheeler-Sack Army Air Field (AAF) on Ft. Drum NY, hosted a local media open house on 5 October 2011. The media was given an up-close look at the Wing' s new MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft and ground-based cockpit during pre-flight operations, as well as the chance to meet Airmen who will take advantage of the realistic training scenarios afforded by flying out of Ft. Drum.

"We are entering a new era of jointness with the 174th Fighter Wing," said Col. Noel Nicolle, Ft. Drum Garrison Commander during his introductory remarks. "With the 174th actually here on the installation with us, flying the MQ-9, this just pushes us that much farther into a great training environment where we are actually training the way we fight down range."

In addition to touring the MQ-9, the media was given the opportunity to speak with local members of the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron, from Syracuse NY, who are combat Airmen that are the direct contact between the Air Force and soldiers on the ground.

The 174th is in the last of five stages of the Federal Aviation Administration's approval process to permit flying out of Ft. Drum. Final approval is expected within the next several weeks.

The open house concluded by having the media go inside the MQ-9's ground-based cockpit and observe one of the aircraft taxiing around Wheeler-Sack.

"Conducting flight operations with the MQ-9 out of Ft. Drum is critical to conducting realistic joint training that keeps soldiers such as the ones here at Ft. Drum safe on the battle field," concluded Col. Charles Dorsey, 174th Fighter Wing Vice Commander. "We sincerely appreciate all of the support we have received from Ft. Drum leadership to make this a reality."