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U.S. Air Force Col. Jonathan Esparza, 188th Wing commander, speaks to the media during the 10 year anniversary of MQ-9 operations at Ebbing Air National Guard Base Fort Smith, Arkansas on Aug. 19, 2026.
What began as a major transformation from the wing’s A-10 Thunderbolt II mission has evolved into a nationally recognized MQ-9 Reaper and intelligence enterprise capable of delivering persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and combat capability around the world.
Over the past decade, 188th Operations Group Airmen have accumulated more than 59,700 flight hours, conducted more than 3,100 sorties and supported more than 52 exercises and operations.
The anniversary celebrates more than an aircraft—it celebrates the Airmen, partnerships and capabilities that transformed the 188th Wing and established the foundation for its next decade of operations.
(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Patricia Teare)
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2026 14:53 |
| Photo ID: | 9878053 |
| VIRIN: | 260819-Z-SO717-1004 |
| Resolution: | 8256x5504 |
| Size: | 9.59 MB |
| Location: | FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 3 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 188th Wing Marks a Decade of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operations [Image 10 of 10], by MSgt Jessica Wilson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
188th Wing Marks a Decade of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operations
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