108th Attack Squadron
| 108th Attack Squadron | |
|---|---|
 One of the squadron's MQ-9 Reapers at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska during Red Flag – Alaska in 2019 | |
| Active | 1948–1994; 2014–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  New York |
| Branch |  Air National Guard |
| Part of | |
| Garrison/HQ | Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, New York |
| Motto(s) | Potential Without Bounds |
The 108th Attack Squadron is a unit of the New York Air National Guard, stationed at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, New York. It was most recently activated on 5 October 2014 and assigned to the 174th Operations Group, 174th Attack Wing. The squadron operates the MQ-9 Reaper.
History
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2022) |
On May 3, 2015, the squadron opened a renovated Formal Training Unit (FTU) on Hancock Field to train pilots, MQ-9 sensor operators, and mission coordinators. The building is named after Major General Robert A. Knaff who saw the squadron's transition from F-16s to MQ-Rs and increases the student body at the base to around 90. Renovations began on the 15,6562ft facility on May 12, 2014 and was completed on March 9, 2015 costing $3.5 million, half the projected cost of an entirely new building.[1]
In 2019, the squadron was the first to bring MQ-9 Reapers to Red Flag – Alaska, flying out of Eielson Air Force Base while the pilots remained at their home station in New York, over 4,000 miles (6,400 km) away.[2]
On 25 June 2020, one of the squadron's MQ-9s crashed at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base after losing engine power. An investigation determined that the cause of the accident was pilot error when it was found that the pilot accidentally cut the fuel supply to the drone's engine causing a crash.[3]
Lineage
[edit]- Received federal recognition as the 108th Air Control and Warning Squadron on 22 Nov 1948
- Redesignated 108th Aircraft Control and Warning Flight in 1960
- Redesignated 108th Tactical Control Squadron in 1965
- Redesignated 108th Air Control Squadron in 1992;
- Inactivated on 16 February 1994[4]
- Redesignated 108th Attack Squadron and activated on 5 October 2014[5]
Assignments
[edit]- 152nd Tactical Control Group (later, 152nd Air Control Group), unknown[6]
- 174th Operations Group, 5 October 2014 – present[5]
Stations
[edit]- Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, New York, 1948
- Grenier Air Force Base, New Hampshire, 1951
- Pepperrell Air Force Base, Newfoundland, 1952
- Sembach/Hamm, Germany, 1961
- RAF Gütersloh, Germany, 1962
- Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, New York, 1962
- Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, 1983
- Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, New York, 5 October 2014 – present[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Stoquert, Maj Sandra (30 April 2015). "108th Attack Squadron dedicates new training facility in honor of former wing commander". 174th Attack Wing. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ Fisher, Eric M. (14 June 2019). "MQ-9s Join RED FLAG-Alaska for First Time". U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Everstine, Brian W. (12 April 2021). "Pilot Mixed Up MQ-9 Controls in June 2020 Crash". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ "New York Air National Guard". New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Morgan, Duane (4 October 2014). "Members of Hancock Field Hold Ceremony for the 108th Attack Squadron". 174th Attack Wing. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ Annual Report on the activities of the Division of Military and Naval Affairs (PDF) (Report). 1967. p. 26. Retrieved 2 October 2022 – via New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center.
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