Wed, Sep 08, 2010
Future Missions For The Region's First UAS Will Be Strategic
Recon, Humanitarian Support
The first RQ-4B Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft to be
stationed in Guam landed at 9th Operations Group Det. 3 at Andersen
Air Force Base September 1st after an 18 hour flight from
California. The aircraft was flown by pilots and sensor operators
from the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron here. The flight to Andersen
AFB marked the surpassing of the 45,000 flight-hour mark for the
Global Hawk program.
The RQ-4 Global Hawk is preparing to go through the Department
of Defense-directed Initial Operation Test and Evaluation process.
Upon completion, Det. 3 will be operational. The current focus at
Andersen AFB will be to bed down and conduct procedural testing
with the aircraft. "Det. 3 will take care of validation and
character testing such as taxi and pattern tests," said the 12th RS
commander.
It is anticipated that future missions will be strategic
reconnaissance and humanitarian support. "We will provide support
for things such as hurricanes and volcanic eruptions to areas from
(South) Korea to as far as the Indian Ocean," the commander
said.
The landing of the RQ-4 at Andersen AFB marks a historical step
forward for the 12th RS and for the 9th Reconnaissance Wing. "It
was exciting to be out there," said squadron's mission commander.
"Being new to the RQ-4 career makes this a very significant
moment."
Airmen from the 12th RS will be working closely with Det. 3 and
PACAF officials to ensure the stand up of the forward operation
location runs smoothly.
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