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U.S. Department of Defense Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) News Release

The Air Force released today its criteria for basing of the MQ-1/9 ground control stations for an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) unit. The basing criteria include mission requirements, communications infrastructure, reserve component recruiting, facilities, support capacity, timing, and cost.

“The Air Force uses a deliberate, repeatable and transparent process to develop the basing criteria for these AFRC ground control stations,” said Kathleen Ferguson, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations. “These criteria will help to ensure that key aspects for basing the MQ-1/9 for AFRC in support of Air Force Special Operations Command have been considered.”

Once that process is complete, the Air Force will consider other factors that include coordination with the Air National Guard and Reserve. This information will be used to identify candidate bases for the MQ 1/9 ground control stations.

After the release of the candidate bases, expected in early 2011, the formal environmental impact analysis process will begin, allowing communities around each candidate base to participate and provide input.

Once the Environmental Impact Analysis Processes are complete, the Air Force will announce the final basing decisions for this MQ-1/9 mission. This announcement is anticipated to occur in June 2011.