214th Attack Group
By Senior Airman Giovanni Sims, 355th Wing Public Affairs
/ Published March 15, 2019
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- About 60 years ago, at an undisclosed location, ground troops would sit for hours and sometimes days on top of a hill collecting information on our adversaries; a reconnaissance both dangerous and demanding. The grueling winter nights and scorching summer days make this mission an arduous one, but these Airmen were dedicated 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Arizona National Guard’s 214th Attack Group, known as “The Black Sheep”, flies daily combat missions, providing troops on the ground with around the clock intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision attack capabilities.
“Our main mission is armed ISR,” said Col. Brian Graski, 214th AG commander. “We do close-air support along with the A-10 [Thunderbolt II] and interdiction, 24/7.”
With launch and recovery elements of the MQ-9 Reaper at Libby Army Airfield in Ft. Huachuca, the RC-26 Condor at Tucson International Airport, combat operations on the other side of the globe and operations at Davis-Monthan AFB, the 214th AG and its remotely piloted aircraft, has the ability to provide full motion video to support ISR operations down range.
“You’re in the fight with them and providing valuable intelligence to help them do their job more effectively and efficiently,” said Staff Sgt. Terry Bessett, MQ-9 Reaper sensor operator.
While the 214th AG has been charged with ISR missions, they also take pride in seeing the guys on the ground come home. From tactical to humanitarian, the 214th AG protect and defends by any means necessary.
“We’re reducing the risk of people downrange,” said Tech. Sgt. Jaime Hawkins, 214th AG intelligence operations supervisor. “Our number one priority is to give them the safest way to complete their mission so they can come home. It’s a huge personal connection dealing with your brothers in arms.”
With the challenge of locating adversaries and collecting intelligence for extended time periods, the 214th AG continues to provide excellent service and maintain mission readiness to fight anywhere at any time.