Page 2 - Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, September 3, 2021

2 September 3, 2021 Commentary DeSert lightning newS S. nevaDa DeSert lightning newS S. nevaDa news September 3, 2021 3
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Harness your experience 489th ATKS uses new MQ-9 capability

by Col. Daniel Loveless by Staff Sgt. Omari Bernard An MQ-9 Reaper pilot from the 489th Attack
Squadron prepares to take off using the
Ramstein AB, Germany Creech AFB, Nev.
Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability
My alarm went off around 3:45 a.m. During a routine training flight, the at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., Aug 3, 2021.
My gear was ready, and I quickly put on my base 489th Attack Squadron at Creech Air This capability is a key enabler for MQ-9 Agile
layers and hut sandals. I carried my bag and gear and Force Base, Nev., made history as the Combat Employment and, combined with the
left them outside the dining room. first attack squadron under the 432nd MQ-9’s next software upgrade and receipt of
It was breakfast time. To me, eating is absolutely Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing the portable aircraft control station, will change
essential to climbing and I overeat when I climb as you to utilize the MQ-9 Reaper’s Automatic how it will be employed in theaters worldwide.
will almost assuredly burn more calories in a summit Takeoff and Landing Capability Aug 3,
climb than you can eat in that day. The food was quite 2021, during a routine training flight.
good for being in a hut at 10,695 feet, minus the cof- ATLC is a key enabler for MQ-9 Agile
fee. It was instant, but regardless of taste, necessary. Combat Employment and is expected to
Twenty two-man teams of climbers lined up by the change how the MQ-9 will be employed
door of the Hörnli Hut, which leads to the path up in theaters worldwide. Previously, all
the Matterhorn. We put on the rest of our layers and ACC MQ-9 takeoffs and landings utiliz-
gear necessary for the climb. As we exited the hut, ing ATLC were tested by the 556th Test
everyone turned on their headlamps and started to and Evaluation Squadron. With their
walk to the first obstacle, a fixed rope that runs up a recent successes in testing, the capabil-
20-foot section of sheer rock. ity has now moved to the operational
Traditionally, the Matterhorn takes eight to 12 phase of familiarizing with the units. As
hours to summit. Many climbers will turn around more and more aircrew learn to utilize
if they haven’t reached the Salvay Hut at 13,123 feet the capability, it can be expected that
within three hours. Given the fast pace of the climb it will spread to more squadrons in the
and the need to have equipment for rock climbing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Enterprise.
and walking on ice, the Matterhorn requires you to “We’re going to take this down range,
do more with less. and forward deploy it,” said Lt. Col. Tra-
To do this I employed a number of strategies. These vis, 489th ATKS commander. “The team Aircrew from the 489th Attack Squadron perform preflight safety
same strategies can help you when you are tasked with Courtesy photo has done a great job getting the capabil- checks before initiating the Automated Takeoff and Landing
many items already on your plate. ity ready for operational employment, Capability for an MQ-9 Reaper at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., Aug
The first step is to define your timeframe. How long addition, I had scaled a lower altitude mountain with I was feeling good, so I did bring along my camera. 3, 2021.
do you realistically need to accomplish your tasks? For mixed rock and ice climbing in preparation. This gave The final factor is to know when it is not safe to so our focus right now is to get Airmen
that are ready to deploy fully trained on
the Matterhorn, my guide set a goal of eight hours. If me the experiences I needed to maximize safety and continue. There is always a limit to how much we can the capability.” An MQ-9 Reaper pilot from the 489th Attack Squadron takes off
I did not think this was possible, it might be smart to reduce my risk. The only thing I could not prepare take on or are properly prepared to do. It is not only According to Travis, ATLC could be using the Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability at Creech Air
rethink the climb. The same holds true for your work. for was the overall duration of the rapid pace that is important to do a full assessment of the task at hand, Force Base, Nev., Aug 3, 2021. The 489th ATKS is the first Air Combat
Setting the time helps to keep you on track and is also required to summit the Matterhorn. but also to have the courage to say that you can’t do used downrange as early as this Septem- Command squadron to utilize the MQ-9 Reaper’s Automatic Takeoff
important for changing your course if you fall behind When you have a lot on your plate, you have to make something safely or to stop when it becomes unsafe ber. The training required to operate the and Landing Capability.
schedule. In the case of mountaineering, that means decisions about what you can and can’t do. You only to continue. With some tasks, you may need to chart new capability is significant. Aircrew are
turning around. have so much time in a day, so you need to be able to a new course. Others may need additional support. required to perform hours of academ-
The next step is to harness your experience. This is ask yourself, is this really necessary? Can I do the Some will require you to try again from scratch. Get-
something you need to do before taking on a complex duty or complete this mission safely and effectively if I ting to the top of a mountain is just 50 percent of the ics, including basic principles on how it
challenge. Throughout your career, aim to take on don’t do this? All of this amounts to process improve- climb. With most accidents happening on the way works, standardized testing, an emer-
new and difficult additional duties or assignments. ment. By critical analysis, we can at times not only down, it is essential to be ready to turn around if the gency procedures simulator, and local
These will build and prepare you for future chal- make things faster, we can potentially even make the weather conditions or climbing conditions impart flights before becoming certified to use
lenges. The amazing part about building experience endeavor safer, as unneeded steps increase complexity unsatisfactory risk with continuing or your overall the capability.
is that there is a bit of a gestalt benefit from this, in and therefore increase risk. For this climb, it came energy is not at a level that can support safe climbing “With this capability we will eventu-
that the whole can be greater than the sum of the down to reducing redundant equipment. Generally both to the summit and down. ally be able to land in higher winds and
parts. This even applies to more than just groups of you will bring along a large parka and a sleeping bag in We arrived at the 14,692 foot summit of the Mat- lower visibility,” Travis said. “The focus
individuals. This principle can definitely apply to case of having to bivouac in extreme weather. Because terhorn in the early hours of the morning with great for this capability is ensuring repeat-
just an individual as well. For me this is probably the the Salvay hut is equipped with beds and blankets weather and a clear view of the Alps. I kept my focus ability and the safety of take offs and
most important factor for climbing safely. Experience and provides overall protection from the elements, on the task at hand until we arrived back at the Hörnli landings.”
is key, as human error plays a role in mountaineering you can safely leave a number of additional clothing Hut after eight hours and 20 minutes of climbing. As the Air Force continues to accel-
fatalities more often than not. In preparation for layers and a sleeping bag behind. Luxury items, like Although the Matterhorn was a difficult climb, I was erate innovation, the Remotely Piloted
this climb, I had climbed numerous mountains with a camera, come down to your fitness level and overall able to celebrate in style by ordering a cold beer and a Aircraft Enterprise may see it’s roles
more complex ice and rock climbing conditions. In risk assessment. My overall pack weight was low and large and satisfying rösti. and capabilities evolve with the MQ-9
Reaper’s ATLC.
“ATLC is the next step in the evolu-
tion of this platform,” Travis said. “It
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CONTaCT: editorial staff at 334-718-3509 including inserts and supplements, does not constitute Lightning News is no later than Monday, 4:30 p.m., Aircrew from the 489th Attack Squadron perform preflight safety checks before initiating the Automated Takeoff and Landing Capability partners and geographic combatant
For editorial staff: e-mail editor@aerotechnews.com an endorsement by the Department of Defense, the the week of desired publication date. editor@aerotechnews.com, and we will consider for an MQ-9 Reaper at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., Aug 3, 2021. commands.”
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