The First Reaper Maintenance Field Training Detachment Story by Capt. Anthony L. Bucci, 174th Fighter Wing
HANCOCK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Syracuse -- The Director of the Air National Guard, the Adjutant General of New York and the 174th Fighter Wing Commander officiated the grand opening of the first MQ-9 Reaper maintenance field training detachment Oct. 2, 2009 in Syracuse. Lieutenant General Harry Wyatt, III, Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, Col. Kevin W. Bradley spoke today at an official ribbon cutting ceremony here at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base before cutting the ribbon and officially ushering in the newest chapter in the wing’s rich history. “The leadership of the 174th Fighter Wing and the New York Air National Guard had the vision of bringing this mission to New York”, said Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt, III, Director of the Air National Guard.
“Now you have to execute the mission you have been given and I have great confidence that the instructors of this new Field Training Detachment (FTD) and the men and women of the 174th Fighter Wing will do exactly that”, Wyatt said. The 174th is the headquarters of the MQ-9 Reaper maintenance FTD; this is the only facility in the Air Force, both active and reserve components, dedicated to training MQ-9 Reaper maintenance personnel. “The 174th Fighter Wing has a distinguished legacy of flying aircraft since 1947”, said Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, The Adjutant General. “So as we think about the 174th Fighter Wing’s future flying unmanned aircraft we know that they will add to the great legacy of this unit”, Taluto said. This facility will offer courses about the
maintenance of the MQ-9 to include: Introduction to the Reaper, Aircraft Mechanic training, Aircraft Technician training, Ground Control Station Maintenance training and Weapons training. “Behind me sits the MQ-9 Reaper Field Training Detachment, a world-class facility, I find it incredible that we have crafted a schoolhouse and 12 qualified instructors in a little over 12 months”, said Col Kevin W. Bradley, 174th Fighter Wing Commander. Construction began on the 24th of September 2008 to convert the former Aerospace Ground Equipment facility to the Field Training Detachment with the project being completed on May 30th this year. The facility was renovated at a cost of $739,000, saving taxpayers about 3.3 million dollars from constructing a new building. The distinguished guests at the 174th Fighter Wing, Hancock Field Air National Guard Base cut the ribbon and officially open the only MQ-9 Reaper Maintenance Field Training Detachment for the U.S. Air Force, Reserve and Air National Guard. (From left) Brig. Gen. James Kwiatowski, Assemblyman Al Stirpe, Sen. Dave Valesky, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Robert A. Knauff, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Paul Schemp, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Curtis Irwin, Congressman Dan Maffei, Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Thomas P. Maguire, Col. Anthony B. Basile, Col. Kevin W. Bradley, Assemblyman Will Barclay, Chief Master Sgt. Muncy, Chief Master Sgt. Hardy Pierce, Chief Master Sgt. David Heckman. Photo by Staff Sgt. James N. Faso II, 174th Fighter Wing.
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