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BULLSEYE
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Creech Airmen showcase RPA at Canadian airshow
Creech News
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen By Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen
432 Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.
— The MQ-1 Predator made its debut
in Canada among 30,000 Alberta locals
in Lethbridge, July 23-25. It’s the second
time it was showcased at an interna-
tional airshow.
Fifteen Airmen from Creech Air
Force Base, Nevada, participated in the
2015 Lethbridge International Airshow
and educated the civilian population on
the Predator’s capabilities.
“We brought the MQ-1 Predator and
members from different career fields
like maintenance, intelligence, sensor
operators and pilots so we could educate
the public in every facet of the mission,”
said 2nd Lt. Joel, 11th Reconnaissance
Squadron chief of intelligence. “We
wanted to show everyone that the plane
is not ‘unmanned’ and it takes a lot of
manpower in every stage of operating
the aircraft.” The 20-year semi-annual airshow
Among the high-flying maneuvers
and exciting explosions of other dem-
onstrations, the RPA held the attention
of many intrigued spectators and at any
given time, was surrounded by 25-30
curious parents and children.
The surprisingly large Predator,
which has a 55 foot wing span yet fits in
a 27 foot long, 4.5 foot wide, and 4 foot
tall casket, was transported by the 22nd
Airlift Squadron’s C-5M Super Galaxy
and aircrew.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen B OT TO M LEF T: 2n d Lt . J o e l , 11t h
5July 31, 2015
Facebook.com/NellisBullseye
“It’s a really cool plane, I thought it
was a lot smaller but it’s actually quite
big,” said Wayne Burndred, a Calgary,
Alberta, Canada local.
For most spectators, this was the only
time they have seen the aircraft up close
and personal.
“I loved seeing the predator here and
being able to see it in person and talk to
the guys who actually operate it,” said
Doug Kakuschke, a Brooks, Canada lo-
cal. “It was great having the American
presence here again and I hope we can
continue to have them participate in the
years to come.”
“We were really well received by
everyone,” said Capt. Reed, 15th RS
pilot. “We really wanted to dispel any
misnomers and put faces to the plane
and provide open communication to
educate people on what we do, which
is ultimately saving lives, and I think
we did that.”
included demonstrations from a Cana-
dian Forces F-18 Hornet, B-17 Flying
Fortress, biplanes, and the Royal Ca-
nadian Forces Snowbirds.
“Overall the airshow went great,”
Reed said. “It was a great opportunity
to work with our coalition partners and
even Airmen from other U.S. bases to
develop partnerships and set the foun-
dation for more international events in
the future.”
TOP LEFT: Senior Airman Kaitlyne
LaRocque, 432nd Aircraft Maintenance
Squadron MQ-1 Predator crew chief, left,
and Staff Sgt. Craig Stewart, 432nd AMXS
MQ-1 crew chief, prepare a Predator to
be lifted out of its “casket” in Lethbridge,
Alberta province, Canada, July 24. The crew
chiefs, along with 13 other Airmen from
Creech Air Force Base, Nev., showcased
the aircraft and answered questions during
the 2015 Lethbridge International Airshow.
MIDDLE LEFT: Senior Airman Derek Lee,
432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
avionics technician, and Staff Sgt. Craig
Stewart, 432nd AMXS MQ-1 Predator crew
chief, assemble an MQ-1 Predator static
display in Lethbridge, Alberta province,
Canada, July 24. The MQ-1 Predator is a
multi-role aircraft used for intelligence,
surveillance, and reconnaissance primarily
and can also be used for kinetic strikes.
Reconnaissance Squadron chief of
intelligence, shows Katelynn and Carter
Konynenbelt how well the MQ-1 Predator is
balanced by lifting the nose of the aircraft at
the 2015 Lethbridge International Airshow in
Lethbridge, Alberta province, Canada, July
25. Spectators were able to see and touch
the aircraft as well as ask the crew questions.