by Capt. Debbie Fredette
192nd Fighter Wing public affairs (deployed)
Virginia Air National Guard
AVIANO Air Base, Italy (AFNS) -- The Air Force's only multi- role, tactical reconnaissance unit just completed a successful 45- day tour of duty here flying intelligence-gathering missions over Bosnia in support of Operation Decisive Endeavor.
More than 100 people and five F-16s from the 192nd fighter Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, deployed here in late May.
Based at Richmond, Va., the 192nd became recce-mission capable in April, only two months after receiving the functional (reconnaissance) pods. The Air Force had experienced a short- term void in its tactical reconnaissance abilities since retiring its RF-4s in October 1995. During that time, Air Force recce capabilities were limited to satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle image gathering. Due to the impending void, Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, requested the development of a new, manned recce capability.
In an extremely condensed, 18-month timeline, the 192nd tested a prototype recce pod, brought it on line, became mission capable and found itself deployed in support of the peacekeeping effort in Bosnia.
The pod includes an off-the-shelf camera with a digital imaging chip. The Lockheed unit hangs directly off the belly of the 192nd's modified F-16s. Carrying the pod on the aircraft's centerline allows the F-16 to remain fully armed and able to support air-to-air and air-to-ground missions while gathering intelligence imagery.
The pod and its related technologies offer high-quality images, enhanced exploitation capabilities and high-speed transmission. The digital imagery also ends the need for time-consuming wet- film development.
"The Air Guard should be justifiably proud of how well they've performed in this operation," said Maj. Gen. Hal M. Hornburg, director of the Combined Air Operations Center in Vicenza, following a mission review briefing during the last week of the 192nd's flying operations.
"It's amazing how far you've come with this mission in such a short time. Your troops have earned a well-deserved pat on the back," Hornburg told Col. Robert O. Seifert, 192nd Operations Group commander. The general said he was very pleased with the unit and the aircraft's multi-role mission performance.