New UAV wing stands up

  • Published
  • By Senior Leadership
  • Pentagon
WASHINGTON, D.C. --  As unmanned aerial vehicles become more important to the global war on terrorism, the Air Force has reactivated the 432nd Wing to be the first MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper wing in the Air Force. 

The new wing is located at Creech Air Force Base, near Las Vegas, Nev.
Over the next three years, the Air Force plans on greatly increasing the number of UAVs in the service, which will also mean an increase in personnel to fulfill the Predator and Reaper missions. This will include Airmen across the Total Force to fill pilot, sensor operator and maintenance positions. 

The commander, Col. Christopher Chambliss, said this is an "important step in continuing the Air Force's role in being the world's greatest air and space power" and is "critical" to American warfighters. 

- The 432nd Wing was last active in 1994 at Misawa Air Base, Japan. Prior to that, it was a wing based out of Udorn, Thailand, and was responsible for reconnaissance and tactical missions over Southeast Asia. 

- The Predator is primarily an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance vehicle, but is also armed with two Hellfire missiles. 

- The Predator's younger, but bigger and tougher brother, the Reaper, is primarily an aerial strike vehicle. It features the sensor capabilities of the Predator, but the Reaper flies faster, higher and can carry up to 4,000 pounds in a variety of munitions. 

Find Airman's Roll Call Online Here: http://www.af.mil/library/viewpoints/ 

Airman's Roll Call is designed for supervisors at all levels to help keep Airmen informed on current issues, clear up confusion, dispel rumors, and provide additional face-to-face communication between supervisors and their teams.