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BULLSEYE
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RPA prophecy fulfilled, oldest RPA squadron celebrates 20 years
By Tech. Sgt. Nadine Y. Barclay
432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing
Public Affairs
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.
— By the end of World War II endless
possibilities were brought to one man’s
prophecy that would set the stage for
modern day of aviation.
Gen. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold made a
startling prediction: “We have just won
a war with a lot of heroes flying around
in planes. The next war may be fought
by airplanes with no men in them at all.”
Although the bold vision of pilotless
aircraft fighting America’s wars was
premature, Arnold’s prophecy is coming
true as the 11th Reconnaissance Squad-
ron at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada,
celebrates its 20th anniversary flying
remotely piloted aircraft.
On July 29, 1995, the 11th RS was
activated at the then Indian Springs Air
Force Auxiliary Field, Nevada, as the Air
Force’s first dedicated RPA unit when
it assumed operational control of the
medium altitude, long endurance RQ-1
Predator aircraft.
“I am very proud of my Airmen,” said
Lt. Col. Leland Cowie, 11th RS command-
er. “Both those conducting our critical
mission in garrison and those currently
deployed in harm’s way flying RPAs.”
U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay
On July 29, 1995, the 11th RS was activated
at the then Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary
Field, Nev., as the Air Force’s first dedicated
remotely piloted aircraft unit when it
assumed operational control of the medium
altitude, long endurance RQ-1 Predator
aircraft. Today, the 11th RS is responsible for
conducting all MQ-1 Predator aircrew initial
qualifications training, as well as operator
upgrade training, and trains an average of
360 Airmen annually.
Creech Feature 5August 7, 2015
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U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Adarius Petty to Vietnam, we are at the beginning of a
revolution, it’s exciting and Creech AFB
On July 29, 1995, the 11th RS was activated at the then Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary is the home of this revolution.”
Field, Nev., as the Air Force’s first dedicated remotely piloted aircraft unit when it assumed
operational control of the medium altitude, long endurance RQ-1 Predator aircraft. Today, Since then it was also the 11th Recon-
the 11th RS is responsible for conducting all MQ-1 Predator aircrew initial qualifications naissance Squadron for fighter aircraft
training, as well as operator upgrade training, and trains an average of 360 Airmen annually. and the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron where it joined the 432nd
Since conducting the first flight of The 11th RS can trace its lineage Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, which
the Predator on Dec. 13, 1996, the 11th back 73 years to the activation of the would later become the 432nd Wing at
RS has seen many firsts, to include: the 11th Observation Squadron on March Creech AFB.
first successful deployment of a Hellfire 2, 1942 by the U.S. Army Air Forces at
missile, the first lost aircraft during Wheeler-Sack Field, New York. The mission on the 11th RS is to in-
an engagement between an RPA and still the Airmanship required to make
a manned aircraft while enforcing the “We’ve only scratched the surface with critical decisions in unforgiving phases
No Fly Zone in Iraq, and the relinquish- RPAs,” said James Clark, Intelligence, of flight enabling remotely piloted air-
ment of its direct combat support role Surveillance and Reconnaissance In- power for the joint force commanders
to become the Air Force’s first Predator novation director. “So from World War at any time and place across the globe.
formal training unit. I RPAs to World War II to Desert Storm
“What we do here every day is vital
Today the 11th RS is responsible Senior Airman Shantae, 11th to the mission downrange,” said Col.
for conducting all MQ-1 Predator and Reconnaissance Squadron sensor Case Cunningham, 432nd Wing/432nd
the MQ-9 Reaper aircrew launch and operator, flies a simulated mission Air Expeditionary Wing commander.
recovery initial qualifications training, as part of her launch and recovery “Today is a great day as we celebrate 20
as well as operator upgrade training, training, June 22 at Creech Air Force years of making history and you and
and trains an average of 360 Airmen Base, Nev. On July 29, 1995, the your Airmen should be proud.”
annually. 11th RS was activated at the then
Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Although decades have passed since
“What I have learned to do here is Field, Nev., as the Air Force’s first Arnold’s initial prediction, his words
important to me because you can’t put dedicated remotely piloted aircraft still ring true as the Airmen of the RPA
a price tag on saving a life,” said Senior unit when it assumed operational enterprise continue to make unprec-
Airman Shantae, 11th RS instructor control of RQ-1 Predator aircraft. On edented strides in modern day aviation.
sensor operator. July 29, the 11th RS celebrated the
20th anniversary of its activation. “Take everything you’ve learned
“This is a highly demanding job that about aviation in war, throw it out of the
requires a lot of professionalism. People window, and let’s go to work on tomor-
depend on you, lives depend on you.” row’s aviation,” said Arnold. “It will be
different from anything the world has
ever seen.”
U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay
Courtesy photo
On Jan. 28, 2010, an RQ-1 Predator assigned to the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron takes off from Muniz, Puerto Rico, enroute to provide
over watch during Operation Unified Response, the humanitarian response to a catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. The 11th RS celebrated
the 20th anniversary of its activation at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field now Creech Air Force Base, Nev., July 29, 2015, as the
U.S. Air Force’s first Predator remotely piloted aircraft squadron.