Page 3 - Nellis Creech NTTR Bullseye 4-8-16

BULLSEYE
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RPAs, from page 1 _____________
maintained by the 432nd Aircraft Com-
munications Maintenance Squadron,
the LRE crew launches the aircraft and
climbs to an altitude where they hand-
off control of the aircraft off to the MCE
located stateside, via satellite links.
“During the hand-off of the aircraft,
ACMS maintainers in the GCS enable
and ensure a good Ku link to the MCE
crews,” said Senior Airman Robert,
432nd ACMS training monitor.
After the hand-off the MCE crew will
fly the aircraft and carry out the mis-
sion, in of the specified mission areas;
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnais-
sance (ISR), close-air support (CAS), air
interdiction, combat search and rescue
(CSAR), or strike coordination and re-
connaissance (SCAR).
“RPAs allow us to not only conduct
ISR and CAS, but also buddy lase for
other assets, perform convoy and raid
overwatch and even provide humanitar-
ian support,” said Maj. Patrick, 432nd
Wing chief of combat plans. “The versa-
tility of these aircraft give the supported good, and planes can take off and fly
commander a variety of options.”
While the pilot is busy flying the air-
craft and the sensor operator is operat-
ing the multi-spectral targeting system
(MTS ball), the mission coordinator
is also engaged by providing real-time
intelligence.
“During the mission MICs are coor-
dinating with the supporting unit and
liaising between the crew and the unit
because they’re not flying the plane or
operating the sensor [MTS Ball],” said
Senior Airman Aaron, 432nd WG/432nd
AEW intelligence evaluator. “They’re
looking for changes in terrain, weather,
threats, and weapons systems because
intelligence personnel can provide every-
thing real time to the pilot and sensor.”
Also supporting the crew is the dis-
tributed ground system (DGS), a group
of imagery analysts who watch the live
feed coming from the RPA. They are able
Staff Sgt. Matthew, 432nd Wing sensor operator flies a training mission Oct. 13, 2015, at Creech
Air Force Base, Nev. The 432nd Wing set a record of weapon strikes in July of 2015, and then
again in August helping countless U.S. and coalition forces return home to their families.
News 3April 8, 2016
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U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen makes us feel safer as well.”
Supporting service members on the
Airman 1st Class Ashley, 432nd Aircraft Communications Maintenance Squadron radio
frequencies transmission technician checks a control monitor and alarm computer for ground has been a frequent use for
discrepancies Aug. 19, 2015, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The ACMS is responsible for the MQ-1 and MQ-9 community in re-
maintaining all communications equipment needed to fly a remotely piloted aircraft. cent years. In some instances, MQ-1 and
MQ-9s are able to track high value targets
to determine the difference between a with no problems, basically we’re moni- at night using an invisible infrared laser
woman holding a child and a man hold- toring all the factors so the mission can which helps designate and illuminate
ing a gun on zoomed-in images. go smoothly.” targets for our ground forces.
Mission taskings given by are the During the mission, if a strike is If the need for a strike arises, the crew
air operations centers (AOC) under the needed, a joint terminal attack controller is prepared at a moment’s notice with
respective combatant commands. The can radio MQ-1 or MQ-9 crews for help precision accuracy.
AOC determines where the aircraft will to coordinate an attack on enemy forces.
go, what mission is needed, and also give Not only can RPAs strike static targets,
orders and guidance should the need for “Partnering two different capabilities but also because of the high loitering
change occur. from the air and ground provides us time, moving targets as well.
with the ability to develop patterns of
The wing operations center (WOC) life for targets,” said a JTAC assigned to Because a CAP is flown on a continu-
acts as a central hub for critical mission Air Force Special Operations Command. ous basis, 24 hours a day, seven days a
support to the aircrew to accomplish the “If and when the time comes to strike, we week, 365 days a year, revolving shifts
tasking orders from the AOC. can do so with accuracy. This is instru- of Airmen in every career field rotate
mental in moving to a safer military for throughout the CAP before the plane is
“The main job of the WOC is to take future conflicts. Not to mention, having landed and another one takes its place.
care of the guys flying the mission to the RPAs provide overwatch from the sky
ensure mission success,” said Maj. Steven, After the mission is completed and the
432nd WG/432nd AEW WOC deputy plane is ready to land, the MCE crew will
director. “In the WOC we’re making fly back to base, handing the aircraft back
sure crews are available, the weather is to the LR crew for landing.
The mission may be done, but the work
isn’t, just yet. For now, the crews have
kept friendly forces safe for another day.
“What our remotely piloted aircraft
professionals are doing in today’s fight
and in preparing for future conflicts is
simply incredible,” said General Hawk
Carlisle, Air Combat Command com-
mander. “RPAs and their operators are in
the highest demand from our Combatant
Commanders because of the situational
awareness and strike capabilities that
they enable. Despite being some of the
newest weapon systems in the Air Force
inventory, RPAs fulfill critical demands
in every theater 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year.”
Editor’s note: The last names of cer-
tain individuals in this story have been
removed for security reasons.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Cory D. Payne
An MQ- Reaper remotely piloted aircraft performs aerial maneuvers over Creech Air Force
Base, Nev., June 25, 2015. The MQ-9 Reaper is an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude,
long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft that is employed primarily as an intelligence-
collection asset and secondarily against dynamic execution targets.