Air National Guard RC-26B Aircraft - Scanner Frequencies and Talkgroups

Houston, Texas

The Air National Guard operates RC-26B surveillance aircraft (Wikipedia) to provide domestic availability of military surveillance technology while avoiding the restrictions of the Posse Comitatus Act (the Army National Guard operates RC-12 aircraft). RC-26B aircraft have also been noted operating in support of FEMA after Hurricane Harvey.

The ANG RC-26B aircraft have been modified as counter-drug support aircraft carrying specialized electronic equipment to provide aerial surveillance and reconnaissance for law enforcement agencies. The aircraft Main Operating Base (MOB) locations are: Fresno ANGB, CA; Clarksburg, WV; Jacksonville, FL; Kirtland AFB, NM; Meridian MS; Houston, TX; Syracuse, NY; Fairchild AFB, WA; Tucson, AZ; Madison, WI; and Montgomery, AL.

In Houston, an RC-26B is permanently based at Ellington International Airport (EFD/KEFD) and uses the callsign "Voodoo 92." This aircraft provides support for anti-narcotics surveillance and border enforcement. The physical aircraft are periodically rotated around the country. Local law enforcement and interoperability frequencies (and talkgroups on TxWARN) are used for operational air-to-ground communications with agencies such as DEA, CBP, and ICE.

Aircraft

RC-26B aircraft use a variety of mode S codes and transponder idents.

Frequencies

The aircraft use civilian VHF frequencies for communication with air traffic control.