RAY BROOK, NY (AP) -- The Air Force Air National Guard says it may conduct training flights of unmanned aircraft over the Adirondacks starting in June.
Col. Charles Dorsey, vice commander of the 174th Fighter Wing based in Syracuse, presented details of the program to Adirondack Park Agency commissioners Thursday. The new drones replaced F-16 fighter jets in the wing, which would make training missions quieter.
The unmanned aircraft, the MQ-9 Reaper, is used for intelligence-gathering, combat search and rescue and ground attacks. They would operate out of Fort Drum.
Eric Durr, a spokesman for the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs, says Friday the military is still working out the details of any flights with federal aviation authorities.
Dorsey says the Reapers would not target U.S. citizens for surveillance.
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