FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2012

For more information:
Keith Metzler
Assistant City Manager, City of Victorville
Assistant Executive Director, Southern California Logistics Airport Authority
 (760) 243-4773

AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNVEILS A NEW $5 MILLION HANGAR FOR THE MQ-1 PREDATOR AT SCLA

VICTORVILLE, CA – This morning, the Air National Guard’s 163^rd Reconnaissance Wing (RW) unveiled its new $5 million hangar at Southern California Logistics Airport. The Air National Guard will conduct its MQ-1 Predator operations in the state-of-the-art hangar specially designed for unmanned aerial systems.  The hangar will support the 163^rd’s Formal Training Unit – a group tasked with training the US Air Force’s remotely piloted aircraft crews. 

The ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the new hangar with local dignitaries and military officials including Major General David Baldwin, Colonel Randall Ball, Vice-Chairman and First District Supervisor for the County of San Bernardino Brad Mitzelfelt and Victorville Councilman Mike Rothschild.  The MQ-1 Predator made several fly-bys during the event and attendees received an up-close view of the aircraft within the new hangar.

Previously, the Air National Guard’s Predator operations were located at a temporary facility at Southern California Logistics Airport.  With the new hangar, the 163^rd RW’s Predator mission will be able to expand its operations more permanently in Victorville.  Assistant City Manager of Victorville Keith Metzler said “We take pride in our nation’s military being a part of our reuse efforts at Southern California Logistics Airport and their being here proves how unmanned flight systems can successfully operate within a commercial airspace.”

In 2006, the 163^rd RW became the first Air National Guard unit to receive the Predator mission.  As one of five Air National Guard units in California, the 163^rd RW includes approximately 1,000 members and is headquartered at March Air Reserve Base. 

About Southern California Logistics Airport

Located in the Victor Valley/High Desert region of Southern California, just 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Southern California Logistics Airport is an all-commercial aviation hub and industrial park.  As the former site of George Air Force Base, the 5,000-acre park is run by the City of Victorville and has been transformed into a multi-industry center in partnership with Stirling Capital.  Southern California Logistics Airport is home to world-class companies such as Boeing, Pacific Aerospace Resources & Technologies (PART), Pratt Whitney, Exquadrum, Southern California Aviation, GE Transportation, Leading Edge, Newell Rubbermaid, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Plastipak and M&M/Mars.  For additional information, visit www.victorvillecity.com.

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