News Search

  • AF Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

  • MQ-9 Aircrew reflect on partnership after milestone flight

    Some things are better in pairs – peanut butter and jelly, milk and cookies, or salt and pepper. There are many dynamic duos out there, but one could argue that no one is as effective at delivering persistent attack and reconnaissance as an MQ-9 Reaper pilot and sensor operator.

  • Reaper Airman fulfills dream of earning Ranger tab

    The sounds of frogs, birds and cicadas rang loudly in his ears as the hot sun crawled across the sky. He hoped nightfall would provide a reprieve, but it only gave way to equally muggy and noisy nights. 

  • ACC leadership visit reflects past, forecasts future

    Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, and Chief Master Sgt. David Wade, Command Chief of ACC, visited Creech to speak with Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) leadership and Airmen about the future of their enterprise, Jan. 7, 2020.

  • Separated, not detached: 20th ATKS Airmen critical to Hunter mission

    The 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing is based out of Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, however, its Airmen and their contributions to the MQ-9 Reaper mission are not bound to one installation. There are some operational squadrons that organizationally fall under the 432nd WG but aren’t

  • Eye in the sky: Prepping the MQ-9 Reaper

    Maintainers from the 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare an MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, July 23, 2019.

  • Fighting to fly: Creech Airman thrives after life-changing crash

    Waking up in an unfamiliar place, having suffered numerous injuries, he couldn’t believe the scene set before him. He waited for the curtains to be drawn to reveal the hospital bed and medical equipment attached to him were all fake. He thought to himself, “This is a crazy dream, what a crazy dream

  • Calling all Hunters: Commanders talk mission updates with RPA Airmen

    Col. Julian Cheater, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Jamie Newman, 432nd WG/432nd AEW command chief hosted a commander’s call, at Creech, Mar. 8, 2019.This all-call provided 432nd WG leadership with the ability to update Airmen at Creech, as well as the

  • Army general reflects on ISIS annihilation with RPA Airmen

    U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Paul Funk, III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, Texas, commanding general, visited Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 10, 2018.Funk was the commanding general of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve for U.S. Central Command.This visit was an opportunity for Funk

  • Air Force realigns Holloman AFB under AETC

    The 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, and all co-located units, will realign from Air Combat Command to Air Education and Training Command effective Oct. 1.

  • MQ-9 Reaper featured in 2018 Air Force Marathon

    The MQ-9 Reaper was this year’s featured aircraft for the 22nd annual Air Force Marathon Sept. 13-15, 2018 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.MQ-9 aircrew, maintainers and intelligence Airmen traveled to the marathon with the aircraft in order to share its persistent attack and reconnaissance

  • A family legacy: 65 years in the making

    As he rolled open his desk drawer to reveal a military patch once worn by his father, Maj. Phillip’s gaze lingered on the 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing emblem in his grasp. His eyes seemed to search for the memories woven between the black and maroon threads before setting it down next to his

  • Creech Airmen bring RPA enterprise to ACC headquarters

    Aircrew, maintainers and support personnel with the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing displayed the MQ-9 Reaper at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia for the Air Power Over Hampton Roads airshow, May 18-20, 2018.432nd WG Airmen made the journey to Langley AFB, Air Combat Command headquarters, to

  • Reaper showcased at JB Charleston Air & Space Expo

    Remotely piloted aircraft pilots, sensor operators and maintenance personnel from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., showcased their MQ-9 Reaper alongside science, technology, engineering and math displays April 27-28, 2018, at the Joint Base Charleston Air & Space Expo at JB Charleston, S.C.

  • MQ-9 Reaper Airmen arrive at Shaw

    MQ-9 Reaper support Airmen recently began arriving at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, in line with Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson’s Jan. 10 announcement that the base will be home to a new MQ-9 group.

  • Raqqah liberated: Combat RPAs in the fight

    U.S. forces, coalition partners and Syrian Democratic Forces liberated Raqqah, Syria from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s control in early October. ISIS used the city as its capital for terrorist operations since January 2014. Combat remotely piloted aircraft such as the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9

  • Hawks Fly Solo

    The 6th Attack Squadron is the first formal training unit to implement solo flights for MQ-9 Reaper crews during initial training.

  • Return of the legacy: 867th ATKS turns 100

    CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – The 867th Attack Squadron reflected on a remarkable heritage as it celebrated its 100th anniversary of its activation, Aug. 25, 2017, as the 92d Aero Squadron.

  • Red Flag 17-3 integrates MQ-9 Reaper

    MQ-9 Reaper aircrews from the 732nd Operations Group stationed at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., participated in Red Flag 17-3 from July 10-28, 2017 at Nellis AFB, Nev.During this Red Flag, the MQ-9 crews aimed to prove the Reaper’s multi-role capabilities and train over new and evolving tactics.

  • Bulls celebrate 75 years of aviation excellence

    For the past 75 years, the 17th Attack Squadron Bulls have played an integral part in the defense of the nation by providing combatant commanders with reconnaissance capabilities, and more recently, with precision attack capabilities. On July 23, 1942, in the midst of World War II, the 17th

  • SecAF gets firsthand look at MQ-1, MQ-9 mission

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson visited Creech Air Force Base July 19, 2017 to get a closer look at the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper mission.During her visit Wilson toured the base and gained insight into the dominant persistent attack and reconnaissance mission the Airmen of the 432nd

  • MQ-9 model makes international debut

    The MQ-9 Reaper model made its first transnational debut at the Lethbridge International Air Show July 14-16, 2017, in Lethbridge, Alberta province, Canada.Sixteen Airmen from the 432nd Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., assembled the MQ-9 and interacted with Canadian citizens on the mission and

  • Premier MQ-1, MQ-9 Wing changes hands

    The men and women of the leading MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper wing welcomed their new commander during the 432nd Wing change of command ceremony July 6, 2017, at Creech AFB. Col. Julian Cheater assumed command from Col. Case Cunningham in front of a crowd of Airmen, peers and family members while

  • MQ-9 maintainer’s innovation expedites engine training

    In order to enable airpower, the Air Force calls upon skilled and competent maintainers to perform all required functions to keep aircraft at the ready. This means maintainers must be properly trained to keep the mission going, so when Master Sgt. Eric, 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Reaper

  • New Block 5 MQ-9 debuts in combat

    On 23 June, 2017, the latest version of the MQ-9 Reaper, the Block 5 variant, was successfully flown in combat in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The aircrew flew a sortie of over 16 hours with a full payload of weapons including GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions and AGM-114 Hellfire

  • Frankenphone 2.0: MQ-9 communication innovation

    In 2015, a former member of the 42nd Attack Squadron saw a need to improve communications from MQ-9 Reaper aircrew to ground forces, thus, Frankenphone was created. He pieced-together the invention with scrap phone parts and headsets which aimed to improve communications clarity until a long term

  • First MQ-9 Squadron looks good for 100

    From training to operational -- bombers to remotely piloted aircraft, the Panthers of the 42nd Attack Squadron have been a key part of United States airpower for the past 100 years. On June 13, the squadron celebrates its Centennial anniversary with a lineage as the 42nd Aero Squadron, part of the

  • Cleared hot: When predators and reapers engage

    Following the mission brief and pre-flight checks, an aircrew consisting of an officer pilot in command and a career enlisted aviator sensor operator observe a target in an area of responsibility overseas from a cockpit in the United States and waits for the green light from a joint terminal attack

  • All in a night’s work: MQ-9s maximize airpower downrange

    As many Americans sleep soundly in their beds, Airmen in attack squadrons across the 432nd Wing flying the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper from cockpits in the continental U.S. are having decisive effects in the fight against violent extremism. In combat operations, last week, one MQ-9 squadron, in

  • First combat MQ-1, MQ-9 wing celebrates 10 years at Creech

    The 432nd Wing celebrated their 10th anniversary at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., as a combat remotely piloted aircraft wing May 1, 2017. In attendance was Gen. Mike Holmes, commander of Air Combat Command, Col. Case Cunningham, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander and 400 Airmen of the

  • MQ-1, MQ-9 aircrews help liberate Manbij

    In 2016 MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper aircrews assisted coalition partners in the reclamation of Manbij, Syria, from Islamic State of Iraq and Syria forces. Pilots and sensor operators assigned to squadrons across the 432nd Wing and the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing provided the close air support and

  • MQ-9s participate in Red Flag 17-2

    Remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper aircrews from the 89th Attack Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, alongside the 432nd Operations Support Squadron and 42nd ATKS at Creech Air Force Base participated in Red Flag 17-2 from Feb. 27 through March 10, 2017, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

  • USAF prepares for all MQ-9 force

    For the past 21 years the Air Force has flown the remotely piloted MQ-1 Predator in combat, and for the last 10, the MQ-9 Reaper. Combined with a skilled aircrew, these aircraft provide consistent support in daily engagements making an impact downrange. While the MQ-1 has provided many years of

  • MQ-9 participates in Red Flag 17-1, integrates with F-35

    Two MQ-9 Reapers and multiple aircrews from the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing participated in Red Flag 17-1 from Jan. 23 to Feb. 10, 2017, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. This was the first time the MQ-9 and F-35A Lightning II have integrated in an exercise.

  • Scoping it out: Shaw evaluated for Reaper mission

    Teams from Air Combat Command and Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, conducted a site survey here Dec. 13, to assess the base as a candidate for an MQ-9 Reaper mission.Shaw AFB, South Carolina, is one of four installations being evaluated for a wing-level mission, and one of five in the running for

  • News release

    A ground control station error in the wake of a starter-generator failure led to the intentional crash of an MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft in the CENTCOM area of responsibility Nov. 24, 2015, according to an Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board report released today.The aircraft, valued

  • Bomb building: Creech leadership shadows Ammo Airmen

    Col. Case Cunningham, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, joined Chief Master Sgt. Michael Ditore, 432nd Wg/432nd AEW command chief, for Ditore’s shadow an Airman initiative with the Airmen of the 432nd Maintenance Squadron’s munitions flight April 27, 2016, at Creech Air Force Base,

  • Assuring maintenance quality for the MQ-1, MQ-9 mission

    Quality assurance (QA) Airmen in the maintenance world are known by many titles; the “best of the best”, the “eyes and ears”, and even “sharks in the water” for their "no nonsense" attitudes where maintenance is concerned.