Reconnaissance Wing opens doors to French Air Force

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Paul Duquette
  • 163d RW Public Affairs
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  December 10 marked the day the 163d Reconnaissance Wing opened its doors to the French military, when distinguished visitors from the French Air Force toured the California Air National Guard's Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) unit.

Among the DVs was the Vice Chief of Staff of the French Air Force, Lt. Gen. Joel Martel and Maj. Gen. Kip L. Self, Director of Operational Planning, Policy and Strategy, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, as well as the head of the French RPA program.

"The French Air Force flies an unmanned aerial vehicle called the Harfang; it's very similar to the MQ-1 Predator," said Col. Robert Dooly, U.S. Air Force Attaché in Paris. "We are more experienced in RPAs, so they look to our units and programs for guidance."

Commander of the wing, Col. Randall Ball, started the tour by giving the DVs an over- view of the unit, past, present and future, touching on every¬thing from training at the Field Training Detachment to operations overseas and at Southern California Logistics Airport.

After the overview, 196th Reconnaissance Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Kirby Colas took the reins and gave the visitors an opportunity to see the mission first hand, by showing them around the Predator Operations Center facilities.

Meeting the tour at its next stop was the Flying Training Unit Commander Lt. Col. Tom Pritchard. He arranged for a brief PowerPoint given by Maj. Eric Fagerland, who greeted the French visitors in their native tongue.

"After Maj Fagerland briefed them on the FTU mission, we took them on an FTU tour," said Colonel Pritchard, "The Generals really enjoyed flying the Simulator and watching a real training mission being flown from our Ground Control Station."

Shortly after the generals observed some FTU instructors teach students, the tour made its final stop of the day, the Field Training Detachment.

General Martel and the rest of the group was met by the 163d Maintenance Group Commander Col. Charles Manley, who offered the DVs an in depth look at the MQ-1 Predator.

Major Alex Cortes works in Washington, D.C. at the Pentagon, and was one of the action officers who arranged this tour. This is the best way to share information and strength relationships between foreign countries, he said.

At the conclusion of the tour, Colonel Ball presented General Martel a plaque of appreciation. In return, General Martel expressed his gratitude and gave appreciation gifts to Colonel Ball and other members of the unit.

"This was a very fruitful visit," said General Martel. "The personnel here, both on the training and operational sides, are very happy to participate in this mission. And it's always wonderful to see that kind of dedication."