Grizzly Field Exercise 2012 prepares for the unexpected

The 163rd Reconnaissance Wing participated in the Grizzly Field Exercise, July 25. During spin-up of the exercise, the intensity of focus was easily observed in the Predator Operations Center (POC) at March Air Reserve Base Calif., as members of the 163d RW hovered over computer monitors and flight plans in final preparation for GFX 12. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Neil S. Ballecer)

Grizzly Field Exercise 2012 prepares for the unexpected

During Grizzly Field Exercise 2012, the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing engaged with its primary platform, the MQ-1 Predator, and was tasked with providing full motion video to the State Joint Operations Center, 234th Intelligence Squadron, Nongovernmental agencies, Northern Command, and the 601st Air Operations Center in support of a search and rescue mission for possible survivors. The exercise was a proof of concept for domestic operations in assisting with disaster response. The joint exercise marked a pivotal turning point for cross agency involvement with the Army National Guard, State Military Reserve, and civilian agencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Neil S. Ballecer)

163d Reconnaissance Wing Unveils New RPA Hangar

Senior Airman Jaron Buchanan, left, Staff Sgt. Daniel Stephens, Staff Sgt. John Zimmerman, and Senior Airman Michael Antonson of the Blue Eagle’s Total Force Honor Guard, perform during the 163d Reconnaissance Wing’s new hangar ribbon cutting ceremony at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, Calif., June 15, 2012. The 163d RW celebrated the official opening of the MQ-1 Predator hangar with several community members in attendance. (Air National Guard Photo by Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

163d Reconnaissance Wing Unveils New RPA Hangar

The 163d Reconnaissance Wing celebrates the official opening of its new Formal Training Unit hangar (FTU) with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, June 15, 2012. The new facility is 17,500 sq. ft. and will support the 163d Reconnaissance Wing's Formal Training Unit, which trains the Air Force's remotely piloted aircraft crews. Predators can be launched from the hangar and controls transferred via satellite to student pilots at March Field. (Air National Guard Photo by Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

MONGOLIA SPACE DEBRIS MISSION

On Aug. 30, 2011, Dan Reichel, ManTech SRS Technologies, presented a poster of the a satellite launch seven years ago to the March Air Reserve Base crew who retrieved its expended rocket parts. Reichel traveled from Coca Beach, Fla., to Los Angeles International Airport to identify the space debris the crew delivered from Mongolia as Air Force property. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Linda Welz)

MONGOLIA SPACE DEBRIS MISSION

Air Force reservists hoist a 480-pound rocket part into a C-17 Globemaster III, Aug. 26, 2011. The aircraft was in Mongolia from the 729th Airlift Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., to retrieve fallen space debris. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Linda Welz)