by Tina Alvey Dale (tdale@talkbusiness.net)
The remotely piloted aircraft used by the 188th Wing is for the first time being launched from the Fort Smith Regional Airport as part of the exercise Establish Fury designed to exhibit the 188th’s access to military airspace, especially the Razorback Range at Fort Chaffee.
The exercises, being held through July 14, will welcome the MQ-9 Reaper aircraft based at Houston’s 147th Attack Wing and other Air National Guard forces, a press release said.
The MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft will launch from the Fort Smith Regional Airport for training flights over Razorback Range at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center near Charleston. The close proximity from launch location to training area provides more time for training rather than transport, which is the norm for other locations, said Capt. Dylan Hollums, 188th public affairs officer.
The MQ-9 Reaper arrives at the Fort Smith Regional Airport as part of a 188th Wing exercise.