Tyndall chosen for MQ-9 Wing

The Air Force has selected Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., as the preferred location for hosting a new MQ-9 Reaper Wing with 24 remotely piloted aircraft. Vandenberg AFB, Calif., is considered a reasonable alternative. The wing will be composed of an operations group with mission control elements as well as a launch and recovery capability, and a maintenance group. "We selected Tyndall Air Force Base because it was the best location to meet the unique requirements of the MQ-9 Reaper," Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson said. That includes fewer aircraft competing for air space, nearby training ranges, great weather and lower up-front costs, Wilson added. Based on current projections, Airmen are expected to begin arriving at the new location as early as 2020. The first aircraft are expected to arrive in 2022. (Source: Air Force Public Affairs, 11/28/17) Previous