There was a special ceremony at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station renaming the 107th Airlift Wing as the 107th Attack Wing.
The new designation goes hand-in-hand with the unit's new mission of remotely piloting an attack drone called the MQ-9 "Reaper"
Five years ago, the 107th was on the chopping block and it took a determined effort by the WNY federal delegation, Gov. Cuomo, and the Niagara Military Affairs Council to save the 107th and get it assigned the drone mission.
For the 107th, being named an attack wing continues a legacy that goes back to 1946 when the 107th Fighter Group was formed in Niagara Falls.
It also helps secure the future of the base as the drone mission is already creating new jobs for Niagara County's largest employer that has an annual economic impact over $50 million.
Currently, 107th airmen have to go to other bases to fly drone missions. That will change later this year when the 107th Attack WIng become fully operational.
7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly was at the air base for the ceremony.
We have also posted some historic photos provided by the 107th showing its history and planes through the decades.
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