Just How Many New Predator Units?

The Air Force just designated the Air National Guard’s 163rd Air Refueling Wing at March ARB, Calif., as the lucky winner of a new Predator unit. Since many ANG units that will lose their aircraft by virtue of BRAC are eager to grab hold of a Predator mission, we asked USAF just how many new units the service is proposing to establish. The answer from ANG spokesman Lt. Col. Mike Odom is that more Air Guard units will get Predator missions, but the number (and, certainly, which ones) is still under wraps. There are a “number of factors” involved in determining where the Predators will go, he explained, adding that the California ANG announcement “was a real important step.” Odom continued, “This is a total force deal, and it’s going to get done.”