AF announces basing candidates for active-duty MQ-1/9 remote split ops squadron

by Ann Stefanek, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force officials announced today Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and Shaw AFB, S.C. as the candidate bases for one active-duty Air Force MQ-1/9 Remote Split Operations Squadron.

The list of candidate bases was approved by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz.

These bases are now candidates to accept a single active-duty MQ-1/9 RSO squadron consisting of 280 personnel and associated equipment. No remotely-piloted aircraft will be assigned to the base under this action, only a ground control station.

The Department of Defense identified the MQ-1/9 as one of the key Air Force capabilities in the current fight and for national defense.

"The Air Force is doing everything necessary to institutionalize the vital capabilities provided by MQ-1/9 within the Air Force," said Kathleen Ferguson, the Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations. "The strategic basing process will help identify which location is best suited to link this important mission with combatant commander requirements."

The primary mission of an MQ-1/9 RSO squadron is to execute MQ-1/9 Predator/Reaper aircraft operations that conduct close-air support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, among others.

Under this concept, a launch and recovery element launches a remotely piloted aircraft via line-of-sight operations from one location, typically from outside the United States, and the RSO squadron controls the aircraft remotely from a United States-based ground control station operating beyond line-of-sight.

"The Air Force uses a standardized, deliberate, repeatable and transparent process to address our basing needs," Ferguson explained. "These candidate bases will be analyzed to determine which location will best host this mission."

Air Combat Command officials will begin conducting detailed, on-the-ground evaluations of the candidate bases covering a range of operational and facility requirements. The results of the surveys will be briefed to the secretary of the Air Force and Air Force chief of staff, who will then select a preferred alternative.

Based on the results of these efforts, officials expect to announce the preferred alternative in December 2011.

NS Pearl Harbor, Hickam AFB Combine To Form Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Naval Station Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Force Base held a Jan. 31 ceremony unveiling Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (JBPHH), marking the beginning of the transition period which will see the two military installations combine.

This transition period is called Initial Operational Capability (IOC), and according to JBPHH Commander Capt. Richard Kitchens, the two facilities will build on existing relationships.

"It is truly an honor as we stand here and bring these two historic bases together today," he said. "The Navy and Air Force share the same goals with passion and pride, and with the joining of forces today, we will be able to further our partnership between the two services."

United States Air Force 15th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Giovanni Tuck expressed the significant capabilities the joint base can offer.

"With the combining of forces, we will bring unity along with excellence into the future," he said. "I look forward to seeing a strong partnership prosper when we merge bases together today. Just because we are creating something new here today, the history of Hickam Air Force Base and Naval Station Pearl Harbor will never be forgotten."

During the ceremony, the JBPHH seal was unveiled and Sailors and Airmen opened up and removed the Aloha Aina Park pedestrian gate which previously separated the two bases.

Kitchens and Tuck then symbolically joined a traditional Hawaiian lei together, marking the beginning of the JBPHH IOC.

Kitchens said he looked forward to the future of JBPHH's tradition continuing to grow.

"There is plenty of history and tradition that is already involved with Pearl Harbor and Hickam," he said. "I know and I anticipate that there will only be plenty of good things involved with JBPHH that will continue to add to that history and tradition."

The IOC will continue through Oct. 1, when full operational capability will take effect. At that time all resources, property, personnel and authority for installation management functions will transfer to the Navy, which was designated by Base Realignment and Closure law to be the lead agency for the new installation.

United States Air Force 15th Mission Support Group, 15th Airlift Wing, Col. Charles Baumgardner will serve as the the deputy, joint base commander. Mission commanders and other tenants will remain in charge of their units. The joint base commanders will report to Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Rear Adm. Dixon Smith.

Pearl Harbor and Hickam to Merge

Naval Pearl Harbor and Hickam AFB will combine into one - Joint Base Pearl Harbor/Hickam on Jan 31, 2010. Get the complete story by clkicking here.