7/24/2008 - An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft takes off July 17 from Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The Reaper can loiter over battlefields or targets for hours at a time without refueling and carries up to 3,750 pounds of laser-guided munitions, giving ground commanders unprecedented situational awareness and the ability to bring the right amount of force to bear on a target. The Reaper, deployed from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., flew its first combat mission over Iraq July 18. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard Lisum)

7/24/2008 - Maj. John Chesser (left) Lt. Col. Micah Morgan inspect the arming devices on a munition affixed to an MQ-9 Reaper July 17 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The Reaper can carry up to 3,750 pounds of munitions, including GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and Hellfire missiles. Colonel Morgan is the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron commander, and Major Chesser is a Reaper pilot with the 46th ERAS. Both officers are deployed from Creech Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Richard Lisum)

7/24/2008 - An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft takes off July 17 from Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The Reaper can loiter over battlefields or targets for hours at a time without refueling and carries up to 3,750 pounds of laser-guided munitions, giving ground commanders unprecedented situational awareness and the ability to bring the right amount of force to bear on a target. The Reaper, deployed from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., flew its first combat mission over Iraq July 18. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)