The Air Force this week released its basing decision for the MQ-1 and MQ-9 ground control stations.
The final bases approved by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force are: Whiteman AFB, Mo., and Ellsworth AFB, S.D.
“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, 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 (IOC) for the first squadron at Whiteman is expected to be achieved by February 2011 and the second squadron located at Ellsworth is planned to achieve IOC by May 2012.