NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Power of the press

    Senior Airman Kirbie Delmo adjusts a radial drill press to align holes on manufacturing plates for an F-16 Fighting Falcon flap. Delmo is an aircraft metal technologies specialist with the 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. Workers in the aircraft metal technologies section manufacture, rework

  • Power of Total Force recruiting

    As Air Force Recruiting Service embarked on a Total Force Recruiting enterprise, a handful of Air Force Reserve Airmen began to matriculate here in early 2019, working side by side with their active-duty counterparts.

  • Power outages across Gulf Coast

    The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was captured by an Air Force meteorological satellite from the Air Force Weather agency here as it flew over the southeastern United States.The image taken Aug. 30 shows the widespread power outages across the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the area.

  • Power pro creates energy to sustain base operations

    One office here works behind the scenes day and night to harvest an under-appreciated necessity everyone needs to do their job -- electricity. Every time a person here flips a light switch, turns on a computer, gets a cold drink out of the refrigerator or relaxes in air conditioning, he or she can

  • Power production farm keeps OEF base running

    Just like a body needs food, a forward-deployed unit needs power.Without them, neither will survive.The 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer power production farm at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, ensures the base's electrical needs are kept well-fed."We produce every bit of power used by the military

  • Power pros critical to mission

    Eighteen Airmen ensure there is no peace here, because silence at Balad Air Base would mean chaos.The power production team's work is audible and emitted by the drone of 200 Air Force generators fueled by 7,000 gallons of fuel a day and immeasurable amounts of sweat and work hours. "I'm not going to

  • Power pros vital to Iraqi rescue missions

    Imagine a work day without electricity; not being able to send emails or use radars; living in a tent with no heat or air conditioning. Luckily, this isn’t a reality for most bases, thanks largely to the Airmen who maintain the electrical systems. At forward-deployed locations such as Al Asad Air

  • Power pros 'wire' Wake Island

    The damage assessment crews that deployed here from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii eat a hot meal every night. They use laptop computers to compile data and generate reports, and sometimes, at the end of a particularly long day, they watch a DVD movie on a small television screen before going to bed.

  • Powered flight returns to Air Force Academy

    Air Education and Training Command officials currently are testing a program designed to return powered flight to the Air Force Academy's curriculum. Called "Jump Start," the test marks the beginning for a program meant to enhance the Academy's focus on airmanship in its curriculum. Traditionally,

  • Powering awareness saves money

    Each October, the Air Force focuses its energy on saving energy."Our theme for Energy Awareness Month this year is 'Power the Force - Fuel the Fight,'" said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz in an energy awareness message to the

  • Powering the flightline

    People use electricity every day, whether by turning on a light switch or vacuuming the carpet and in the Air Force, some of the energy used every day powers a multimillion dollar flightline and ensuring the mission is accomplished.

  • Powerlifting duo competes, wins big

    Co-workers occasionally find common interests between them. For two Airmen at Scott Air Force Base that turned into powerlifting competitions.

  • POW's legacy helps nephew in leadership roles

    Military tradition runs deep in some families, with generation after generation raising their right hand and swearing to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. One family however, has continued to put its mark on military service even after inconceivable anguish struck during the

  • Practice keeps investigative skills sharp

    Practicing skills and maintaining job proficiency are key factors in accomplishing the mission on a day-to-day basis. Recently a member of the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here was able to practice and demonstrate fingerprinting skills in a mock crime scene scenario. According to

  • Practice makes perfect for flamenco-dancing Airman

    When an Airman here leaves work, she does not go home and sit in front of the television. She gets her second wind and dashes off to flamenco dance classes.After a full day as an administrative Airman for the 66th Mission Support Squadron, Airman 1st Class Jackqueline Raastad heads to a dance

  • Practicing good eye care, safety 'out of sight'

    The comic book hero Daredevil gained superhuman powers when he was blinded by toxic waste that hit him in the eyes. Unfortunately, outside of the superhero realm, anyone else would just be blinded.Therefore, protecting eyes and keeping them healthy is paramount, said Maj. Ryan Traver, 325th

  • Precision airdrop training coming to Altus AFB

    A new training course will be soon implemented into the syllabus for all C-17 Globemaster III aircrew members attending technical training here.Air Force officials are relocating the improved container delivery system and joint precision airdrop system training to Altus Air Force Base in the coming

  • Precision airdrops deliver directly to battlefield

    Water, food and ammunition are only useful if they make it to the people who need them. Fortunately for battlefield Airmen, Soldiers and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan these supplies are flown in using the Joint Precision Airdrop System. C-17 Globemaster IIIs at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing are

  • Precision landing system ready for take off

    After many years of technology refinement, the Electronic Systems Center-led land-based increment of the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System is poised to progress to the system development and demonstration phase. Known as JPALS, the system uses the Global Positioning System, or GPS, to

  • Precision munitions provide 'great capability,' carry 'great responsibility'

    Precision munitions and careful targeting have enabled Operation Iraqi Freedom planners to maximize the effects of missiles and bombs and minimize unintended Iraqi civilian casualties and collateral damage."I believe that we have proven, to date, that we have waged a very precise -- and very focused

  • Precision strikes keeping enemy on target

    Lessons learned in past conflicts have now made it possible to bomb enemy targets within just a few feet to reduce collateral damage, a top Air Force commander said Feb. 25 at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida.

  • Precision: Everyday standard at base lab

    Calibrating a weapon system properly is the difference between striking at the heart of an enemy force or possibly hitting the friendly forces engaged with that same enemy. Members of the 46th Maintenance Squadron's Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory here are the purveyors of accuracy and

  • Predator accident report released

    Pilot error caused an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle to crash during a training mission at Creech AFB, Nev., Aug. 3, 2006, according to an aircraft accident investigation report released Jan. 26 here. There were no injuries or fatalities from the accident, and damage to the aircraft totaled

  • Predator combat air patrols double in 1 year

    A significant milestone was reached more than two years ahead of schedule May 1 with the beginning of the 24th MQ-1 Predator combat air patrol in the war on terrorism. This combat air patrol doubles the 24/7/365 Predator capability of last year, and is two years ahead of the Department of Defense

  • Predator crashes at Joint Base Balad

    An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system crashed at about 7:30 a.m. Baghdad time Dec. 4 on the Joint Base Balad runway. The extent of the damage to the aircraft assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing is unknown at this time. The Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, unmanned aircraft

  • Predator crashes in Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed in southern Afghanistan Feb. 8 at approx 11:35 a.m. local time. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board will be convened to investigate

  • Predator crashes in Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed in southern Afghanistan July 21. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board will be convened to investigate the incident. Comment on this story   (comments may

  • Predator crashes in Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed following takeoff at approximately 2 a.m. local time June 12 here. The aircraft was approximately six miles south of Kandahar Airfield. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed

  • Predator crashes in Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan Sept. 4 at approximately 8:45 p.m. Kabul time. The crash was not due to hostile fire. There were no reports of civilian injuries or damage to civilian property at the site. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance,

  • Predator crashes in central Iraq

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed in central Iraq at approximately 12:45 p.m. Baghdad time on Sept.14. The crash was not due to hostile fire. The crash site has been secured and there were no reports of civilian injuries or damage to civilian property. The aircraft is a

  • Predator crashes in eastern Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed May 14 in eastern Afghanistan. The crash was not due to hostile fire. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The Predator's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board of Air Force officials

  • Predator crashes in eastern Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan April 21 in the early morning hours. The crash was not due to hostile fire. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board

  • Predator crashes in eastern Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned Aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan May 8 in the early afternoon hours. The crash was not due to hostile fire, and there were no injuries or damage to property as a result of the crash. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted

  • Predator crashes in Iraq

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed northwest of Balad, Iraq, at approximately 7:10 p.m. local time April 9. The aircraft was launched from Ali Base, Iraq. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A

  • Predator crashes in Iraq

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed in southern Iraq at approximately 4 a.m. local time May 2. The aircraft was launched from Ali Base, Iraq. The aircraft is a medium-altitude long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board will be

  • Predator crashes in Iraq

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials announced an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time Dec. 17 near Al Muqdadiya in Iraq. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The Predator's primary mission is conducting

  • Predator crashes in Nevada

    An RQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the side of a mountain in the Nevada Test and Training Range near Indian Springs, Nev., at approximately 8:30 a.m. Oct 25.The Predator, from the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron, was flying a training mission when the incident occurred. There were

  • Predator crashes in Nevada

    An MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle crashed June 14 at about 2:40 p.m. at nearby Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field. The aircraft was returning from a local training mission on the nearby Nevada Test and Training Range. There were no injuries or property damage. A safety board of

  • Predator crashes in Pakistan

    An Air Force RQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed during a test flight in a remote area of southern Pakistan around 11 p.m. on Dec. 31, according to U.S. Central Command officials here.The crash was not the result of enemy fire, and the aircraft is being recovered, officials said.The cause

  • Predator crashes in southern Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed in southern Afghanistan about 1 a.m. Kabul time Jan. 15. The crash was not caused by enemy fire. The crash site was secured and there were no civilian injuries or damage to civilian property.The MQ-1 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft.

  • Predator crashes in southern Turkey

    An Air Force MQ-1B Predator remotely piloted aircraft crashed in an unpopulated area in southern Turkey at approximately 1:40 a.m. local time, Feb. 3.

  • Predator crashes north of Balad

    An MQ-1 Predator crashed north of Balad Air Base at approximately 10:40 p.m. local time June 2. The unmanned aerial vehicle was approximately 2 kilometers from the base. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The Predator's primary mission is conducting armed

  • Predator crashes north of Joint Base Balad

    An MQ-1 Predator crashed north of Joint Base Balad at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time Aug 1. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted vehicle used primarily to conduct armed reconnaissance. A board will convene to investigate the crash. Comment on this story (comments

  • Predator crashes northeast of Balad

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft stationed here crashed off base at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time Feb. 22. The Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft used primarily to conduct armed reconnaissance. A board will convene to investigate the

  • Predator crashes on base in Iraq

    An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed at the end of the runway while landing at approximately 11 p.m. local time July 30 at Balad Air Base. The crash site is an unpopulated area and no collateral damage or injuries occurred. The aircraft is a medium-altitude long-endurance, remotely

  • Predator damaged in Afghanistan

    An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system was damaged at approximately 10:15 a.m. Nov. 20 at a base in southern Afghanistan. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft with a primary mission of conducting armed reconnaissance. A safety investigation board will be

  • Predator draws attention at Paris Air Show

    Within the United States aircraft coral at the 47th International Paris Air Show, the MQ-1 Predator stands out from the rest. The Predator is the only unmanned Department of Defense aircraft showcased with its entire maintenance crew at the air show in France. "Where does the pilot sit?" asked an

  • Predator fleet to expand

    Air Force officials plan to expand the current Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle fleet to as many as 15 squadrons.This increase, announced March 18, is in response to the escalating demand for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability in the war on terrorism. The plans are intended to

  • Predator flies unprecedented combat flight hours

    Airmen who operate and fly the MQ-1B Predator are tired, but you couldn’t tell that by the unprecedented 27,000 hours the Predator has flown this past year supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.Some in the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., believe they

  • Predator helps in ground war success

    Flying over coalition troops racing toward Baghdad, RQ-1 Predators are providing ground commanders up-to-the-second information on what lies ahead.That is helping make the ground war a success by minimizing coalition troop losses, said Predator pilot Capt. Traz Trzaskoma by telephone."We immediately

  • Predator is headache for enemy

    One of the most formidable aircraft in the Operation Iraqi Freedom arsenal does not even carry a pilot. Appearing almost toy-like at a mere 27 feet long, the RQ-1/MQ-1 Predator is an unmanned aerial vehicle that remains a huge headache for enemy forces.Operated remotely by a pilot and sensor

  • Predator landing gear collapses upon landing

    The landing gear of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system collapsed after the aircraft landed about 6:45 a.m. Baghdad time Nov. 21 on the Joint Base Balad runway in Iraq. The extent of the damage is unknown at this time. The Predator is assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing from Joint

  • Predator maintenance team is a ‘total force’

    Total force is more than just a concept for one squadron here. It is a way of life that brings the skills and talents of various groups into one unit to accomplish the mission.The 46th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit is responsible for maintaining the RQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles

  • Predator mishap occurs on Balad runway

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator ran off of the runway here while landing at approximately 12:40 p.m. local time April 4. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board will be convened to investigate the

  • Predator operators see whole picture

    Each MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle mission flown in the Iraqi sky begins and ends here.Predator operators deployed here put the aircraft in the air and make sure it lands safely. Sitting side by side in the “cockpit,” enlisted Airmen and officers work as a team providing top cover to

  • Predator passes 20,000-hour mark in Afghanistan

    An MQ-1 Predator assigned here recently became the first Predator to pass 20,000 flying hours over Afghanistan, a feat equivalent to flying 15 hours every other day, for 2,667 days.While the Predator remotely piloted aircraft program surpassed one million hours of total development, test, training

  • Predator passes 400,000 flight hours

    The MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system surpassed 400,000 flight hours during a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 18. Members of the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, part of the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., flew the milestone mission in

  • Predator passes 500,000 flight hours

    Airmen of the 432d Air Expeditionary Wing here flew an MQ-1B Predator unmanned aircraft in a combat mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Feb. 18, and the flight surpassed the 500,000 flight-hour mark for the aircraft. Members of the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron flew the

  • Predator passes 600,000 flight hours

    Airmen of the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing here surpassed the 600,000 flight hour mark in the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system Sept. 4 here. The Predator fleet passed 250,000 hours in June 2007, after 12 years of flying, and it only took a year and eight months for the aircraft to fly an

  • Predator passes 700,000 hours

    Airmen of the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing reached a new flight milestone March 12 when they surpassed 700,000 flight hours in the MQ-1B Predator remotely piloted aircraft.The last 200,000 Predator hours were flown in just over 12 months compared to 19 months to fly the previous 250,000 hours and

  • Predator proves worth in war against terrorism

    The Air Force officer is a transport plane pilot, but these days his aircraft flies "solo," and he doesn't leave the ground.Capt. Sam J. Vanzanten, is an earthbound controller of the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. He's been in the Predator program for the past two years, the eight-year military

  • Predator provides close-air support to embattled Marines in Iraq

    An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle destroyed an anti-Iraqi forces mortar launch site near Al Qaim on June 18 while assisting Marines under enemy fire.The air strike occurred during Operation Spear in which U.S. and Iraqi security forces in Iraq’s Anbar province called in air strikes on

  • Predator reaches initial operating capacity

    One of the most heavily used and valued weapons systems of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom has reached initial operating capability, Air Combat Command officials here announced March 1.The MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle was officially declared IOC March 1 by Lt. Gen. William

  • Predator reaches milestone

    The Air Force's RQ-1A Predator unmanned aerial vehicle achieved 50,000 flight hours during an operational sortie Oct. 26 at a forward-deployment location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Production of the next generation of Predators, dubbed the Predator B (MQ-9), begins soon. Predator B

  • Predator soars to record numbers of sorties

    When terrorists tried shooting mortar rounds at Balad Air Base in July, they didn't count on the tireless, unblinking eye of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle overhead, transmitting their every move to Airmen on the ground here. Airmen assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance

  • Predator team deploys to support Haiti relief efforts

    Approximately 50 Airmen from the 432nd Wing here, along with RQ-1 Predator assets, deployed Jan. 22 to assist 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern officials with providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in Haiti.

  • Predator team prowls Iraq

    It hunts alone, flying quietly for more than 20 hours at a time, carefully scouring the Earth for the most minute evidence of ground activity and discretely relaying intelligence information to analysts half a world away. But on a moment's notice, the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle can transform

  • Predator, Reaper unit becomes air expeditionary wing

    The 432nd Wing here that flies the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles was designated an air expeditionary wing by Air Combat Command officials in May. The wing will now have dual reporting responsibilities to 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.,

  • Predator’s success ups procurement and development

    With the MQ-1 Predator logging significant hours in counterinsurgency operations and earning troop support, the Air Force wants to buy more of the aircraft and develop the next-generation variant. Predators worldwide are logging 4,000 hours a month in support of the war on terrorism and other

  • Predators deliver data, firepower in Iraq

    “I never thought I’d be doing anything like this,” said Airman 1st Class Kyle Bridges from his seat at an RQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ground control station. “I signed up to be an imagery analyst, which I thought was going to be a cool job. Instead I was offered the chance to be a sensor

  • Predators fly first four-ship sorties

    The latest upgrade to the MQ-1 Predator, known as the Multi-Aircraft Control, or MAC system, entered operational testing with the first two-ship and four-ship Predator sorties being flown over a four-day period.Testers performed two-ship sorties Sept. 12 and 13 and progressed to four-ship sorties

  • Predators help TACP Airmen with mission

    If mentioned at all, tactical air control party Airmen are usually linked with a group of special forces on the front lines.Normally these Airmen find themselves out in the field directing combat aircraft against insurgents or coordinating artillery fire with air strikes, but most certainly not

  • Predators keep vigilant eye on Iraq

    Taking center stage in helping win the war on terrorism in Iraq are unmanned aerial vehicles such as the MQ-1 Predator. Although the plane is small compared to the F-16 Fighting Falcon, it packs a punch with its vigilant purpose and silent victories. Since October 2007, the 361st Expeditionary

  • Predators move to Balad

    The unit came packed and ready to position themselves autonomously, so they could pursue their prey quietly, unseen for hours.Arriving ready to set up one of the most impressive unmanned aerial aircraft in the U.S. inventory, the Nevada unit was ready for business within days of their arrival here.

  • Predators of the mountains

    In an environment where the enemy troops conceal themselves among civilians and mountainous terrain, Airmen in the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron provide the warfighter real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data to combat that enemy. The weapon of choice: the MQ-1

  • Predators protect troops

    The loud roars of F-16 Fighting Falcons here are familiar reminders of close-air support, but unmanned Predators silently swarm the sky protecting troops by different means.The RQ/MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle is a lightweight, low-horsepower aircraft capable of taking daylight and infrared

  • Predators provide eyes in the sky over Afghanistan

    What has a 50-foot wingspan, buzzes like a giant insect and can put an AGM-114 Hellfire missile through a window from 8,000 miles away?It is the Air Force’s MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, and it’s arguably one of the most requested assets in Operation Enduring Freedom, said Capt. Jonathan

  • Predators reach quarter-million flight hours

    Airmen from the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron flew an MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle past the 250,000 flying hour milestone marking the historic milestone with a ceremony June 22 at Creech Air Force Base. "This historic achievement in the evolution of air and space power underlines the United

  • Predators ready to aid Missouri flood victims

    MQ-1 Predators are on standby to launch and help with search, rescue and recovery efforts over the areas of Missouri devastated by floods. Four of the unmanned aerial vehicles and the Airmen who launch and recover them await U.S. Northern Command orders to deploy to a location near the affected

  • Predators, Reapers break flying record

    The 29th Attack Squadron, 9th Attack Squadron, and the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron set a non-combat record October 2, by flying six MQ-9 Reapers and four MQ-1 Predators simultaneously during a training mission at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The 29th ATKS, 9th ATKS and the 6th RS recently increased

  • Predictability added to deployed travel

    Most deployed Airmen know how far along they are in their rotation and when they expect to return home.Until recently, that date was mostly speculation, but, thanks to aggregation, Airmen will know exactly when their replacement is coming and when they will leave.U.S. Central Command Air Forces

  • Preflight

    Capt. Jeremy Quatacker checks preflight forms before an Operation Iraqi Freedom mission. Quatacker is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot assigned to the 524th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at a desert base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Stefan Alford)