Officials choose bases for MQ-1, MQ-9 ground control stations

  • Published
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  Air Force officials released their basing decision for the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper ground control stations June 21.

The final bases approved by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force are: Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. and Ellsworth AFB, S.D.

This decision is for the ground control stations only, and does not include any MQ-1 or MQ-9 airframes being assigned to these bases.

"The Air Force uses a deliberate, repeatable and transparent process to address basing needs. These bases are the right locations for the next set of MQ-1/9 ground control stations," said Kathleen Ferguson, the deputy assistant secretary for installations. "They will provide the Air Force with the right kind of synergy for training purposes."

The MQ-1 ground control station will be the first squadron and the MQ-9 will be the second squadron. Each base will have an addition of 280 people, both military and civilian.

Initial operational capability for the first squadron at Whiteman AFB is expected to be achieved by February 2011 and the second squadron located at Ellsworth AFB is planned to achieve IOC by May 2012.