Airmen integral part of unmanned aerial system milestones

Published March 18, 2008
By by Senior Airman Ross M. Tweten
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The Global Hawk unmanned aerial system recently reached its 10 year and 20,000 flight hour milestones.

More than 15,000 of those hours and most of those years have been amassed in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to commanders.

The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing has been an integral part in most of those years and hours.

Here, the 12th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron continues to help the Global Hawk reach newer and greater milestones.

"It's great being a part of something so new, there are constantly opportunities to be the first to accomplish something," said Capt. Chad Bowden, a 12th ERS Global Hawk pilot. "It's always exciting to do things that have never been done before and the Global Hawk provides many of those opportunities and will continue to do so for quite some time."

The 12th ERS's mission is to provide high altitude day and night all-weather surveillance and reconnaissance in direct support of allied ground and air forces across the spectrum of conflict.

Supporting and maintaining the Global Hawk and its mission takes a herculean effort from active duty, contractor, civilian technicians, engineers and supply chain specialists, said Capt. Steven Leblanc, the 12th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge.

"From completing daily scheduled maintenance tasks to troubleshooting intricate aircraft sensor components, none of it happens without the collaboration of the entire highly skilled 12th AMU team," he said. "The most rewarding part of maintaining the Global Hawk is knowing that the effort our team has put into getting the aircraft off the ground, and into theater, is having a positive effect on the servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The feedback we receive gives us a sense of pride and accomplishment when we learn that our weapon system helped identify buried improvised explosive devices or tracked known terrorists."

The Global Hawk has had a significant role in the war on terrorism, said Captain Bowden, and its role continues to expand.

"The Global Hawk has already had a big impact on the GWOT and it's only in its infancy," he said. "As we try new things and learn to employ the aircraft more effectively it will play an even bigger role. Once additional aircraft become operational, it will become the go-to asset for operations all over the globe."

The 380th AEW has played an important role in the Global Hawk's history, which garners much pride amongst its Airmen.

"Not everyone can say they've had a hand in birthing a new weapon system in the world's most prominent air power, in a combat environment," Captain Leblanc said. "Being a part of such a key component of the GWOT, which affects so many air and ground forces, is truly an honor and privilege."