Military AI Works

Ponying Up: The Air Force announced yesterday that it is authorizing assignment incentive pay for airmen assigned to and performing duty at Creech AFB, Nev., effective immediately. Airmen who meet the eligibility criteria will receive $300 AIP per month for the first 36 months assigned to a Creech unit, and $750 per month for service beyond three years. Creech is home of the 432nd Wing, USAF's sole unmanned aerial vehicle wing, which operates MQ-1 Predators and MQ-9 Reapers. These UAVs have been performing ultra-heavy duty around-the-clock in Afghanistan and Iraq, with no let-up in sight. Trying to meet the insatiable demand from ground commanders for the full-motion, real-time video that the Predators and Reapers provide has placed an enormous stress on the airmen who control the UAVs daily from Creech via satellite communications. So stressful has been the operations tempo on these airmen that they remain some of the most fatigued and taxed crews in the service, according to a March 2008 report by investigators at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey Calif. The Air Force said yesterday the Office of the Secretary of Defense asked the service to look at incentive options to help increase numbers at Creech, which also currently lacks many quality-of-life features compared to other bases, including nearby housing options. "The plan is to attract and retain airmen for high operations tempo assignments at this developing location in a challenging environment," the service said. (Includes Randolph report by MSgt. Kat Bailey)

From AF Daily report 18 Jul 08

man i hope we never get orders to creech lol the pay sounds good but...havn't heard many good things about that place. but glad to see they did something to help ease the pain

At least they are in the US and not in the Sandbox.

Victory103 wrote:At least they are in the US and not in the Sandbox.

It's just like Iraq but with out the mortors and rockets.

Waiting to go on my 3rd tour, hope only 12 months and not 15, I'll gladly take sitting in a box in NV any day!

Worst thing I ever did was jump into Australia after a very long ride. Third tour...sheesh.

i don't think it would be so bad if i was single but i wouldn't want my family to deal with that kind of place.

The otehr bad thing is that most of the guys out there are working 12-14 hour days, add an hour drive out and back and you get one long day. Still it beats Iraq. I just got back in Feb myself.

To all the active duty Troops-THANKS FOR SERVING now!! Salute!