62nd ERS keeps mission going

Staff Sgt. Nelson Cherry, 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems specialist inspects an MQ-9 Reaper with the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 18, 2014. The Reaper is launched, recovered and maintained here. It is also remotely operated by pilots in bases located in the U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

62nd ERS keeps mission going

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament systems specialists walk past MQ-9 Reapers with the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 18, 2014. The Reaper is launched, recovered and maintained here. It is also remotely operated by pilots in bases located in the U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

62nd ERS keeps mission going

An MQ-9 Reaper with the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron sits on a ramp at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan Aug. 18, 2014. The Reaper is launched, recovered and maintained here. It is also remotely piloted by pilots in bases located in the U.S. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez/Released)

62nd ERS keeps mission going

Published Sept. 8, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Evelyn Chavez
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- "To provide world-class, full spectrum Remotely Piloted Aircraft operations for the joint forces in Afghanistan," is the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron's motto. The unit's Airmen work 24 hours a day to provide 84 percent of Central Commands' RPA combat air patrols.

"Here at Kandahar, we support the mission by providing 600 daily hours of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for the Combined Forces Air Component and troops on the ground," said 1st Lt. Michael, 62nd ERS RPA pilot. "If at any point the troops on the ground need eyes in the sky to back them up and keep over watch, we will deliver that."

The squadron is responsible for launching and recovering all of the Air Force's MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper combat sorties in Afghanistan that operate from Kandahar and Jalabad. After crew members from the 62 ERS here launch the aircraft, they work with members in the U.S. to link with the RPA's to take over the flying for several hours.

While the RPA's are primarily used as intelligence-collection assets, they also provide strike capabilities for local joint commanders here.

"We work to prosecute nearby targets as well," said 1st Lt. Michael, 62nd ERS RPA pilot. "We protect the friendly convoys that go on local missions."

The unit enables more than 200,000 hours a year of armed ISR full motion video, airborne surveillance and close air support to combatant commanders. They make 55 percent of the worldwide RPA combat air patrols. As the 62 ERS works around-the-clock, crew members ensure they are ready to respond at a moment's notice.

"We spend every second on our shift ensuring the aircraft are ready to go," said 1st Lt. Michael, 62nd ERS RPA pilot. "We ensure the weapons on the aircraft are safe and that communication links work. This will allow the crews back in the states to accomplish their mission. Once the aircraft lands safely, we ensure the next ones are ready to go."

The Airmen are accountable for operating RPA assets worth more than 800 million dollars. With the responsibility comes a sense of pride to support operations in Afghanistan. As many units in Afghanistan are concluding missions, the 62nd continues to ensure their mission is accomplished day in and day out.

"I haven't had a day off in over 90 days, but it feels pretty good to part of the mission here," said Tech. Sgt. Steve, 62nd ERS sensor operator. "We support the operations and people that are in contact with the bad guys every day. It is great knowing we are protecting the guys on the ground."