Page 1 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, March 9, 2018
P. 1
vol. 2, no. 5 Serving Southern Nevada’s military community, including Nellis, Creech and NTTR march 9, 2018
An Aerotech news And review publicAtion • www.Aerotechnews.com
MQ-9Sunsetting tRheeMaQ-p1 Pererdamtor:eets demand
by Senior Airman James Thompson Air Force photograph by Senior Airman James Thompson Airmen continued supporting the local
training missions at Creech and provided
Creech AFB, Nev. An Airman assigned to the 432nd Maintenance Squadron performs post-flight checks maintenance support to downrange
on an MQ-1 Predator Feb. 2, 2018, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The MQ-1 served as a operations.
With the retirement of the MQ-1 premier Remotely Piloted Aircraft for combatant commanders and coalition partners
Predator on the horizon, MQ-9 Reapers for more than 20 years and is scheduled to officially retire March 9, 2018, at Creech AFB. “It [preserving history] gives me a
were successfully transferred via flight chance to explain how I used to work on
from one combat operation to another in London, where visitors will learn and MQ-9 crew chief with the 432nd this aircraft to my family when I see it in
within the U.S. Central Command area about the aircrafts’ achievements and Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. “We a museum one day,†said Jonathan. “It’s
of responsibility for the first time. contributions. started making progress and now have a bittersweet feeling, having worked on
the final MQ-1 flight scheduled to take this aircraft the majority of my career.â€
In January, Airmen facilitated the “Back in 2015, we coordinated with place in March.â€
flight of MQ-9s from Operation Inherent Air Combat Command and came up The MQ-1 began as just an innovative
Resolve to Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. with a game plan to demilitarize the Predators were demilitarized before thought, but proved to be an effective
aircraft,†said Staff Sgt. Jonathan, MQ-1 the scheduled shipment date, while and desired asset thanks to the efforts of
As aircrews seamlessly continue to Airmen who supported its mission set.
provide dominant, persistent attack and
reconnaissance capabilities to meet war The two MQ-1s from Creech are
front demands with the MQ-9, MQ-1s marked with the tail numbers 03-3119
enter the transition phase out of active and 03-3120, and have an estimated 14
inventory. years of service in the Air Force. During
that time, aircrews recorded approxi-
When the Air Force determines to re- mately 22,800 flight hours and 1,500
tire an aircraft, it goes through a screen- sorties in support of combat operations
ing process outlined in the Defense and local training missions.
Materiel Disposition Manual. In the case
of the MQ-1, officials are still executing The aircrew who flew them made key
that process and are working with other contributions to U.S. and coalition ef-
agencies to determine configurations and forts while active.
quantity for a possible transfer.
“It is sad that the MQ-1 Predator is
There are a number of possibilities of sunsetting, but we are excited for the
where retired MQ-1s could go, including new era of flying the MQ-9 Reaper,†said
U.S. and coalition museums. Capt. Fred, MQ-1 pilot. “I am so proud
of the missions we’ve accomplished and
Currently, Creech Airmen have the lives we’ve saved.â€
transported one MQ-1 to the American
Air Museum in Duxford, England, and Editor’s note: This article is part two of
another to the Royal Air Force Museum a four-part series.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman James Thompson Air Force photograph by Senior Airman James Thompson BOTTOM RIGHT: Airman 1st Class Chase and Senior Airman
Nathan, both avionics specialists assigned to the 432nd Aircraft
Maintenance Squadron, remove the Primary Control Module
from an MQ-1 Predator, which is its central point of processing
for all aircraft functions Nov. 30, 2017, at Creech Air Force Base,
Nev. Airmen with the 432nd Maintenance Group demilitarized
a few MQ-1s in their inventory before they were dispersed to
England, where they’ll be displayed in museums.
BOTTOM LEFT: Airman 1st Class Chase, 432nd Aircraft
Maintenance Squadron avionics specialist works on an MQ-1
Predator during its demilitarization Nov. 30, 2017, at Creech
Air Force Base, Nev. As a standard practice, Airmen retain all
salvageable parts during the process in an effort to save U.S.
tax dollars and ensure the aircraft is safe for public display.
INSIDE: News – 2-5; Veterans – 6; Hometown Heroes – 8; Community – 12; Nellis Living – 16