Brits at Creech AFB-UAVs

GZR_Sactargets · Post by **GZR_Sactargets** » 26 Jan 2008, 00:10

British Invasion: The UK Royal Air Force activated its first unmanned aerial vehicle unit, No. 39 Squadron, on Jan. 23 at Creech AFB, Nev. Air Marshal Iain McNicholl, RAF's deputy commander in chief of operations, presided over the ceremony. RAF personnel have been at Creech since 2004 as part of the Joint Predator Task Force. From there, they have taken part, alongside their US Air Force counterparts, in operating MQ-1 Predator and, more recently, MQ-9 Reaper UAVs. No. 39 Squadron, which also includes British Army and Navy personnel, will operate the RAF's MQ-9 Reapers and remain involved with Predator operations. The RAF currently has three MQ-9s in its inventory, one of which is already flying in Afghanistan in support of ISAF. The remaining two will deploy there in 2008, according to the RAF. The UK is interested in acquiring 10 more Reapers; the Pentagon announced the potential foreign military sale on Jan. 3. (Includes USAF report by 2nd Lt. Jennifer Richard)

I wonder if the birds have roundel markings??

From AF Daily Report 25 Jan 08

VulcanDriver · Post by **VulcanDriver** » 26 Jan 2008, 06:23

Hi Marv

Yes they do wear RAF markings and carry RAF serial numbers plus squadron markings. Currently they operate out of the RAF base at Kandahar.

John

GZR_Sactargets · Post by **GZR_Sactargets** » 26 Jan 2008, 08:25

Sounds like a project! I don't have anything at Kandahar now. Wonder if WeeScotty can do a repaint of a couple of the Beale AI?

SMOC · Post by **SMOC** » 26 Jan 2008, 14:21

GZR_Sactargets wrote:Sounds like a project! I don't have anything at Kandahar now. Wonder if WeeScotty can do a repaint of a couple of the Beale AI?

A repaint of the RQ-4?

GZR_Sactargets · Post by **GZR_Sactargets** » 26 Jan 2008, 16:08

SMOC wrote:
GZR_Sactargets wrote:Sounds like a project! I don't have anything at Kandahar now. Wonder if WeeScotty can do a repaint of a couple of the Beale AI?
A repaint of the RQ-4?

Predators would be better, but we don't have an AI for them that I know of. Also need to find some source material for the paints. I will see if I can find any plans and paint.

Gonna need them for the Arizona Guard also.

SMOC · Post by **SMOC** » 26 Jan 2008, 16:31

Well for the Predator you're going to need paints for Creech, ND ANG(This will eventually be an AD/ANG associate unit at GFAFB I believe), AZ ANG, TX ANG, and CA ANG.

I don't know of any AI Predators but the available Predator(1 LOD) only has roughly 3000 polys so it isn't bad on the system.