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  • 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