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  • Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson shares a laugh with members of the 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, July 19, 2017, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. During her visit, Wilson toured the base and gained insight into the dominant persistent attack and reconnaissance mission the Airmen of the 432nd WG complete 24/7/365 for our nation and coalition partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Clausen)

    SecAF gets firsthand look at MQ-1, MQ-9 mission

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson visited Creech Air Force Base July 19, 2017 to get a closer look at the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper mission. During her visit Wilson toured the base and gained insight into the dominant persistent attack and reconnaissance mission the Airmen of the 432nd Wing complete 24-7-365 for our nation and coalition partners.

  • Yesterday's Air Force: RPAs

    This episode of Yesterday's Air Force looks at the history of Remotely Piloted Aircraft. RPAs are not a new war-fighting technology, in fact their development goes back to the early 20th century. Roger Connor with the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum takes us through their evolution.
  • Master Sgt. Alex, 12th Reconnaissance Squadron student pilot, poses for a photo in front of a RQ-4 Global Hawk June 21, 2017 at Beale Air Force Base, California. Alex was previously a sensor operator on the RQ-4 who was stationed at Beale before going through all of the training to become a remotely piloted aircraft pilot. He has returned to Beale to finish his training to become an enlisted pilot and fly the RQ-4. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

    Enlisted RPA pilots soar to new heights

    The Air Force’s first three Enlisted Pilot Initial Class graduates are slated to complete their final phase of training requirements in July at Beale Air Force Base, California.
  • The new Block 5 MQ-9 Reaper is loaded with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, a GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb and a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition April 13, 2017, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. On 23 June, 2017, the latest version of the MQ-9 Reaper, the Block 5 variant, was successfully flown in combat in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The aircrew flew a sortie of over 16 hours with a full payload of weapons including GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. During the mission, the crew employed one GBU-38 and two Hellfires while providing hours of armed reconnaissance for supported ground forces. The Block 5 is equipped with improved electrical and communications systems which provides better software and hardware upgrades for future operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Clausen)

    Block 5 MQ-9 debuts in combat

    The latest version of the MQ-9 Reaper, the Block 5 variant, flew its first successful combat mission June 23, 2017, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
  • The Air Force Personnel Center is accepting applications for the 2018 Undergraduate Flying Training selection board through Nov. 17. The four flight categories available are pilot, remotely piloted aircraft pilot, combat systems officer and air battle manager. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

    Application window opens for Air Force undergraduate flying training

    Application packages for the next Undergraduate Flying Training selection board are due to the Rated Officer Assignments branch of the Air Force Personnel Center by Nov. 17, 2017. The board, set for Jan. 22-25, 2018, will consider active-duty officer applicants to attend training as early as spring 2018. Those interested in becoming a pilot, combat

  • Air Force realigns Grand Forks AFB under ACC

    The Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command commanders have agreed to the realignment of the 319th Air Base Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota to ACC effective June 13, 2017.
  • The 42nd Attack Squadron reach it's centennial anniversary June 13, 2017. It's lineage can be traced back to World War I where it was a training unit before being re-designated in the mid-1930's as a bombardment squadron. During World War II, the 42nd flew bomber aircraft such as the B-18 Bolo, B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator in six aerial campaigns during World War II over the Pacific theater including the Battle of Midway. In 1963, the unit inactivated and briefly returned in 1989 as an air refueling squadron, but soon inactivated again in 1990. In 2006, the 42nd became the first MQ-9 Reaper squadron and continues today providing dominant persistent attack and reconnaissance to the combatant commanders 24/7/365. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Clausen)

    First MQ-9 squadron looks good for 100

    From training to operational--bombers to remotely piloted aircraft, the Panthers of the 42nd Attack Squadron have been a key part of United States airpower for the past 100 years. On June 13, 2017, the squadron celebrates its centennial anniversary with a lineage as the 42nd Aero Squadron, part of the U.S. Signal Corps. Back then, the unit trained aviators during World War I and continued until the mid-1930’s when it was redesignated as the 42nd Bombardment Squadron and placed under the operational control of Reserve personnel.

  • Air Force announces significant changes to Aviation Bonus Program

    As part of its retention efforts, the Air Force released details on the fiscal year 2017 Aviation Bonus Program (AvB) June 5, 2017. This year’s program implements an increase in maximum bonus amounts authorized in the fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act in addition to more flexibility in contract lengths.
  • Retired Gen. John Jumper, former U.S. Air Force chief of staff, and Col. Houston Cantwell, 49th Wing commander, participate in a virtual drone racing demo on Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., May 19, 2017. During his visit he was updated on current Remotely Piloted Aircraft training, given a look into the possibilities of future unmanned aircraft technology, and a virtual drone racing obstacle course demonstration. Jumper is most known within the RPA community for his work arming the MQ-1 Predator. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Chase Cannon)

    RPA culture continues innovation

    The RQ-1 Predator, later designated as the MQ-1, was the right aircraft at the right time following the events of Sept. 11, 2001. While the nation was recovering from the largest attack in its history since the bombings of Pearl Harbor, members of the Pentagon prepared for a war they already knew would present new challenges the Defense Department had not faced before.
  • 49th Aircraft Maintenance squadron Airmen hoist an engine cover panel onto an MQ-9 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., May 4, 2017. Holloman AFB conducted surge operations from May 1 to May 5, ramping up operations to accurately measure the full capability of its Airmen and equipment.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chase Cannon)

    Holloman surges RPA operations

    The 49th Wing’s remotely piloted aircraft squadrons at Holloman Air Force Base completed a five-day surge May 5, 2017, to measure the full capabilities of the Airmen and civilians involved in the RPA mission.
  • Tech. Sgt. Mike, Master Sgt. Alex and Master Sgt. Mike stand next to a T-6A Texan II parked on the flightline at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, May 4, 2017. They completed undergraduate remotely piloted aircraft training May 5 and are the first Air Force enlisted Airmen to train as pilots since World War II. Master Sgt. Mike was a distinguished graduate in the URT class of 20 including 17 commissioned officers. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Tech. Sgt. Ave I. Young)

    First group of enlisted Airmen complete RPA training program

    The first three NCOs have completed the Air Force’s undergraduate remotely piloted aircraft training program here May 5, 2017, and one was a distinguished graduate.

  • First combat MQ-1, MQ-9 wing celebrates 10 years at Creech AFB

    The 432nd Wing celebrated their 10th anniversary at Creech Air Force Base as a combat remotely piloted aircraft wing May 1, 2017. In attendance was Gen. Mike Holmes, the Air Combat Command commander, Col. Case Cunningham, the 432nd WG/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and 400 Airmen of the wing.

  • Around the Air Force: May 2

    On this look around the Air Force, the Air Force Research Lab helps reduce the C-5M Super Galaxy’s energy footprint, the Alpha Warrior fitness program is on tour and the first three enlisted RPA Airmen complete their training.
  • An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft awaits maintenance on the flightline Feb. 1, 2017, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. RPAs are used in various missions to provide combatant commanders with persistent, dominant attack capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristan Campbell)

    11th ATKS paves way with training

    To accomplish flight, two geographically separate aircrews work together: the mission control element and the launch and recovery element. The MCE is responsible for executing the mission, while the LRE conducts takeoffs and landings. While being MCE certified is standard for all aircrews flying the MQ-1 and MQ-9, LR certification requires extra training.

  • Enlisted RPA pilot board selects 30 Airmen for pilot training

    The inaugural Enlisted Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot Selection Board has chosen 30 enlisted Airmen to fill fiscal year 2017/2018 training slots as a part of the deliberate approach to enhance the Air Force’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission.
  • A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper awaits maintenance Dec. 8, 2016, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The MQ-1 Predator has provided many years of service and the time has come for the Air Force to transition to the more capable MQ-9 exclusively, and retire the MQ-1 in early 2018 to keep up with the continuously evolving battlespace environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christian Clausen)

    AF to retire MQ-1, transition to MQ-9

    For the past 21 years, the Air Force has flown the MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft in combat, and for the last 10, the MQ-9 Reaper. Combined with a skilled aircrew, these aircraft provide consistent support in daily engagements making an impact downrange.

  • AF releases undergraduate flying training selections

    The Air Force has selected 100 company grade officers for its 2017 Undergraduate Flying Training program. The UFT annual selection board convened at the Air Force Personnel Center Jan. 23-26 to consider active-duty candidates for pilot, remotely piloted aircraft pilot, combat systems officer and air battle manager training.
  • An MQ-1 Predator flies overhead during a training mission Dec. 12, 2016, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The MQ-1 and the MQ-9 Reaper, help operators provide unique and unmatched situational awareness on the battlefield due to their exceptionally long loiter times. The aircraft can stay in the air for approximately 23 hours attributing to their glider construction, lightweight composite builds and efficient engines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christian Clausen)

    Eye in the sky: MQ-1, MQ-9s provide increased awareness

    Situational awareness is the ability to know what is happening around a person at any given time. This is especially important for military members, more specifically, troops on the ground. For the men and women operating MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft, their skills of providing unmatched SA is highly demanded from the ground forces to the combatant commanders.
  • Lt. Col. Jason Thompson, 558th Flying Training Squadron Commander, presents a certificate to the thousandth Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training graduate, 2nd Lt. Kevin, during a graduation ceremony Jan 20th at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Chris Schweinberg and James Taylor, were both cadre members when the URT program grew to become a squadron in 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Randy Martin)

    1,000th RPA student graduates

    Lt. Col. Jason Thompson, the 558th Flying Training Squadron commander, presented 2nd Lt. Kevin a certificate commemorating the 1,000th graduate of the Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft training program at Joint Base San Antonio–Randolph, Jan. 20, 2017.

  • AF selects Shaw AFB as the preferred location to host a new RPA unit

    The Air Force has selected Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, as the preferred location to base a new MQ-9 Reaper group, including mission control elements.
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