Page 4 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, April 2019

4 April 2019 Desert Lightning News www.aerotechnews.com/davis-monthanafb
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Black Sheep still up for 214th AG mission
Perfect day in the neighborhood ...
Courtesy photo
Crowds of spectators visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base March 23 and 24 for the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona Air Show and Open House. Headliners included the Thunderbirds U.S. Air Force Demonstration Team flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team and the Wings of Blue U.S. Air Force Parachute Team. They were among many other performances, demonstrations and static displays.
by Senior Airman GIOVANNI SIMS
355th Wing Public Affairs
About 60 years ago, at an undisclosed loca- tion, ground troops would sit for hours and sometimes days on top of a hill collecting information on our adversaries; a recon- naissance both dangerous and demanding. The grueling winter nights and scorching summer days made this mission an arduous one, but these Airmen were dedicated day in and day out.
The Arizona National Guard’s 214th Attack Group, known as The Black Sheep, flies daily combat missions, providing troops on the ground with around-the-clock intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision attack capabilities.
“Our main mission is armed ISR,” said Col. Brian Graski, 214th AG commander. “We do close-air support along with the A-10 [Thun- derbolt II] and interdiction, 24/7.”
With launch and recovery elements of the MQ-9 Reaper at Libby Army Airfield in Fort Huachuca, the RC-26 Condor at Tucson International Airport, combat operations on
the other side of the globe and operations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the 214th AG and its remotely piloted aircraft have the ability to provide full motion video to support ISR operations down range.
“You’re in the fight with them and provid- ing valuable intelligence to help them do their job more effectively and efficiently,” said Staff Sgt. Terry Bessett, MQ-9 Reaper sensor operator.
While the 214th AG has been charged with ISR missions, they also take pride in seeing the guys on the ground come home. From tac- tical to humanitarian, the 214th AG protects and defends by any means necessary.
“We’re reducing the risks for people down- range,” said Tech. Sgt. Jaime Hawkins, 214th AG intelligence operations supervisor. “Our number one priority is to give them the saf- est way to complete their mission so they can come home. It’s a huge personal connection dealing with your brothers in arms.”
With the challenge of locating adversaries and collecting intelligence for extended time periods, the 214th AG continues to provide excellent service and maintain mission readi- ness to fight anywhere at any time.
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