California Air National Guard Assists with Major Missile Defense Exercise [Image 6 of 12]

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

12.10.2023

Photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pagan 

163d Attack Wing   

Two MQ-9 Reaper Aircraft, assigned to the 163d Attack Wing (ATKW) await additional AGM-114 Hellfire missiles on the hot cargo pad at March Air Reserve Base in California, Dec. 10, 2023. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency conducted a successful intercept of an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) by an upgraded Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI). The test demonstrated the ability of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) capability to engage threats faster. The 163d ATKW was tasked with assisting the launch by locating the fallen rocket booster and ensuring it safely sunk into the Pacific Ocean without impeding on maritime operations. (Photograph By US Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Joseph Pagan)

• Date Taken: 12.10.2023
• Date Posted: 12.22.2023 16:11
• Photo ID: 8179781
• VIRIN: 231210-Z-WT190-1013
• Resolution: 8256x5504
• Size: 21.36 MB
• Location: MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIFORNIA, US