Page 5 - Nellis Creech NTTR Bullseye July 1 2016

BULLSEYE News 5July 1, 2016

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MQ-1s, MQ-9s provide ‘buddy
lase’ capability against ISIL

By Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay MQ-1/9, the 432 WG has also provided austere conditions, coupled with the eral damage is in icted while achieving
a significant number of ‘buddy lases.’ location of operations, and the need to mission success.
432nd Wing/ 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, provide ISR capabilities, MQ-1 aircrews
Public A airs The term ‘buddy lase’ is used to were chosen to provide assistance when Training requirements associated
describe a situation in which a laser- the risk to other aircra was too great or with buddy lasing such as aircra place-
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.— equipped aircra provides the nal guid- they were not suited for such conditions. ment, de-con iction between designator
As U.S. Central Command approaches ance for a laser-guided weapon (LGM) and shooter, laser missile codes, and
the two year anniversary of supporting delivered by another aircra . “It [buddy lasing] enables rapid preci- communication between multiple air-
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the sion e ects with laser munitions,” said cra in the airspace are standard train-
Airmen of the 432nd Wing/432nd Air “At rst we were asked to buddy lase James. “Many of our buddy lases were ing at all levels.
Expeditionary Wing reflect on their due to us having more target awareness,” performed with us below the cloud decks
contributions using the remotely pi- said James. “As our success rate [buddy with the ghter above the clouds. is “It’s important we train on these as-
loted MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper lasing] stayed high, we were asked by reduced the manned assets risk to enemy pects to further improve ourselves and
against the Islamic State of Iraq and the certain units to continue because they each other with practice missions within
Levant, or ISIL. knew they could trust our performance.” re while still utilizing their munitions.” these scenarios,” said Senior Airman
e attack squadron buddy lased 196 Shawn, 432nd Wing sensor operator.
The OIR campaign is a U.S. Central Partnering with other aircra and
Command and partner nation’s en- ground forces, like Joint Terminal At- LGMs on moving objects striking 353 Still, developing the skills needed to
deavor conducting targeted airstrikes tack Controllers (JTACs), has become a targets on the battle eld. e small Air buddy lase takes experience. Airmen
in Iraq and Syria as part of the com- common practice that allows the wing to Force unit from the 432nd WG has also assigned to buddy lase have learned
prehensive strategy to degrade and debunk misperceptions surrounding the achieved success in the ght against ISIL through repetition and have performed
defeat ISIL. MQ-1 and MQ-9 capabilities with sister by deploying its own munitions. an average of 10 to 16 missions each.
services and coalition forces.
The 432nd WG has tirelessly pro- “We y the most MQ-1 lines of any “ e repetition of the daily mission
vided persistent attack and reconnais- “We work hard every day to provide AF squadron and all are in OIR,” said takes a toll on our young Airmen, but
sance capability to this operation with the best the Air Force has to o er,” said James. “We executed 170 hell re strikes they are resilient, and their profession-
precision and professionalism. Senior Airman Travis, 432nd Wing sen- in 2015 with a 90 percent success rate alism and dedication yields consistent
sor operator. “We provide a service that with 230 targets neutralized.” results,” said James. “We have the young-
“Our long endurance time allows us is unmatched and is very versatile in the est MQ-1 squadron in the Air Force, and
to build and maintain long-term situ- war on terrorism.” Still, performing such a complex yet our young and inexperienced crews
ational awareness on the battlefield,” maneuver to achieve military objectives continue to perform well under stressful
said Lt. Col. James, a 432nd Wing To date, buddy lasing has allowed does not come without its own unique conditions.”
squadron commander. MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircrews to partner challenges.
with other U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy e experiences gained by perform-
While the MQ-1 and MQ-9 mission platforms to include: the B-1B Lancer, “Challenges that I have encountered ing buddy lase missions in the MQ-1 and
in Iraq and Syria initially focused on A-10 Warthog, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 during a buddy lase scenario include MQ-9 community is something Airmen
information gathering and battlespace Viper, F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8 Harrier. communication, unpredictable enemies, take great pride in.
awareness, the 432nd Wing’s involve- and sometimes the stress of knowing
ment quickly evolved, providing a “ is technique has proven to in- friendly forces are very close,” said Cap- “ e best part of my job is that I nd,
persistent attack capability due to the crease the probability of success and it tain Ahmad, 432nd WG MQ-1 instructor track, target and engage those who would
precision effects provided by the MQ-1 also o ers more exibility to the JTAC pilot. see the U.S. and her allies harmed,” said
and MQ-9 aircraft. Escalating in par- and ground force commander,” said Shawn. “I protect those who cannot pro-
allel with their own strikes from the Captain Grant, 432nd Wing MQ-1 pilot. Like with every military campaign, tect themselves, to be the eyes, ears and
training and safety remain at the fore- voice over the battle eld.”
Known for its ability to operate in front to ensure the least amount of collat-

CLASS 16A, from page 3____ 1. Capt. Peter J. Dobbins 11. Capt. Whitney D. Franz 4. Capt. Gregory P. Schroeder 1. Tech. Sgt. Charles Howerton
2. Capt. Joshua J. Grover 12. Capt. Paul A. Gies (AF- (F-22) NELLIS AFB, Nevada 2. Tech. Sgt. David Nye
5. Capt. Christopher D. Mahan 3. Capt. Jeremy N. Wyatt 3. Tech. Sgt. Aaron Rost
66 WPS (A-10) NELLIS AFB, 325 WPS (B-2) (WHITEMAN CENT) 5. Maj. Robert J. Ice 4. Tech. Sgt. Andrew Sacco
13. Capt. Even T. Rogers 6. Capt. Terrance H. Fregly Jr. 5. Tech. Sgt. John Smithberger
Nevada AFB, Missouri) 340 WPS (B-52) (BARKS- 7. Capt. Jamie H. Mun 6. Tech. Sgt. Stephen omas
1. Capt. Halden J. Grossman 1. Maj. Steven E. Eldien 8. Capt. Patrick K. Pottinger 7. Sta Sgt. Andrew Cleland
2. Capt. Jessica M. Wyble 2. Maj. Michael Ramamurthy DALE AFB, Louisiana) 509 WPS (KC-135)(FAIR- 8. Sta Sgt. Matthew Hauser
(JTAC) 3. Capt. John M. Grunzinger 1. Capt. Joe G. Biles
3. Tech. Sgt. Michael J. Orlando 328 WPS (CYBER WAR- 2. Capt. John M. Conway CHILD AFB, Washington)
4. Sta Sgt. Jose E. Cruz-Rich- 3. Capt. Matthew E. Gray 1. Maj. Charles A. Schellbach
FARE) NELLIS 4. Capt. Dustin B. Helsel 2. Capt. Christopher K. Akui
ardson 1. Maj. Daniel Molina 5. Capt. Micah R. McCracken 3. Capt. Kenneth A. Burch
5. Sta Sgt. James P. Eberts Jr. 2. Capt. Lance J. Bramble 6. Capt. Joshua L. Riker 4. Capt. William H. Dowd
6. Sta Sgt. Adam C. Hoyle 3. Capt. Rollin P. Menz 7. Capt. Matthew J. Roudebush 5. Capt. Matthew R. Miller
7. Sta Sgt. Brian T. Nawrocki 4. Capt. Tyler A. Schultz (NRO) 8. Capt. Alexander J. Sibal 6. Capt. Jonathan M. Yates
77 WPS (B-1) (DYESS AFB, 5. Capt. Benjamin J. Wiemers 9. Capt. Ronnie L. omas 7. Capt. Roque Zarate III
6. 1sy Lt.t Michael J. Esch 433 WPS (F-15C) NELLIS 8 WPS (AWDC) (Feb. 1-June
Texas)
1. Capt. Brian R. Guyette (SPACE SUPERIORITY) AFB, Nevada 25)
2. Capt. Anthony R. Rocco 7. Maj. Bryan A. Card 1. Maj. David M. Anderson 1. Tech. Sgt. JoAnn K. Bautista
3. Capt. Je rey R. Spinney 8. Capt. Christopher J. Barnes 2. Capt. Clayton R. Cruick- 2. Sta Sgt. Carin Warr
315 WPS (ICBM) NELLIS 9. Capt. Liam D. Conley 19 WPS AEMPC (April 18-
10. Capt. Ryan J. Foster (NRO) shank
AFB, Nevada 3. Capt. Dustin C. Johnson June 17)