MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — More than 200 active duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard MQ-9 Reaper airmen participated in Exercise Reaper Smoke 2025, last week in Southern California. The 163rd Attack Wing hosted the exercise, focusing on maritime operations to reflect the growing need for MQ-9 capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
Aircrews, distinguished visitors and support personnel competed in the annual exercise, which tested tactics, techniques and procedures, and critical thinking amid increased demand for the MQ-9. The evolving security landscape, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, has highlighted the platform's versatility for long-range maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.
“Combatant commanders are...
The 163d Attack Wing leadership is well on its way to implementing an A-Staff to bolster commanders’ decision-making capabilities, enhance command and control of wing operations, and integrate as a total-force partner.
The essence of military service, emphasizing the profound question of why individuals serve in the armed forces. It highlights the exceptional dedication of those who grasp the intricacies of their mission, emphasizing the U.S. Air Force's crucial role in prevailing in the modern landscape of Great Power Competition (GPC). Command Chief Master Sgt. Maurice Williams stresses the importance of strategic understanding and adaptation, urging...
