An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Reapers combined in Afghanistan

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James Law
  • 455 Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan --  One year after its first training mission at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., the MQ-9 Reaper is well engrained in combat operations. Since taking flight for the first time here in October 2007, Reapers have flown more than 320 missions and 2,400 combat hours throughout Afghanistan, providing close-air-support and precision engagement. 

The unit contributing to this effort is the 42nd Expeditionary Attack Squadron, a combined unit with Reapers from the United States and the UK's Royal Air Force. 

"It's awesome working with the Brits," said Maj. John Myers, 42nd EATKS commander. "We work well together. 

"We have split crews. We have a British pilot and an American sensor operator and another crew is an American pilot and a British sensor operator," said Major Myers. "We are truly integrated, even down to the crew level." 

Major Myers explained the combined unit pilots the unmanned aircraft during launch and landing on a flightline in Afghanistan and turns control of the Reaper over to personnel at Creech after it has reached altitude. 

"Our main mission is to launch and recover airplanes that are flown primarily from the states from the MCE, or mission control element," said Major Myers. "The units we support at Creech are the 42nd Attack Squadron and the 39th Squadron, which is a RAF squadron." 

Although the unit's inventory consists of aircraft from both countries, there is no distinction between which Reapers the pilots fly. 

"From here I fly both the American airplanes and the British ones," said Flight Lieutenant Swainston, a RAF MQ-9 pilot. "I enjoy it." 

Flight Lieutenant Swainston said the relationship between the two air forces was symbiotic. 

"It's great working along side another nation; we get to see how two different doctrines approach the same airframe," said Flight Lieutenant Swainston. "The Brits get to see how the Americans operate and the Americans get to see how the Brits operate." 

In addition to piloting the aircraft during take off and landing, the 42nd EATKS also provides air-base defense and close air support for units in the vicinity. 

Larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, the Reaper is designed to provide the very essence of modern-day persistent Air Power: that 'unblinking eye' which provides actionable Intelligence for our decision-makers as well as proportionate and precise firepower in defence of Afghan and Coalition forces. 

"I can tell you it's not unmanned; it's a lot of work," said Major Myers. "But the reward is great. Other than being in the cockpit and being out over the battlefield, this is the next best thing...being here."