The Air Force has selected Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, as the preferred location for hosting a new MQ-9 Reaper Wing with 24 remotely piloted aircraft. The wing will be composed of an operations group with mission control elements as well as a launch and recovery capability, and a maintenance group. The base was selected because it is the best location to meet the unique requirements of the MQ-9 Reaper, which include air space, nearby training ranges, great weather and lower up-front costs. The final basing decision on base location will be made by the Secretary of the Air Force after the environmental analysis is complete. Airmen are expected to begin arriving at the new location as early as 2020.
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