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Lt. Col. Hector, 732nd Operations Support Squadron commander, assumes command of the 732nd OSS from Col. Christopher, 732nd Operations Group commander at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 23, 2019. The new unit, dubbed the “Archers,” will provide the support required for the MQ-9 Reaper attack squadrons within the 732nd OG to seamlessly execute their persistent attack and reconnaissance missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christian Clausen)

Feb. 1, 2019

732nd OSS activates, sets RPA group up for success

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The 732nd Operations Support Squadron activated during an assumption of command ceremony at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 23, 2019. The new unit, dubbed the “Archers,” will provide the support required for the MQ-9 Reaper attack squadrons within the 732nd Operations Group to seamlessly execute their persistent attack and reconnaissance missions.

Airmen were able to seamlessly transition between platforms, which prevented a loss of MQ-9 capabilities for combatant commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Thompson)

March 2, 2018

Sun setting the MQ-1 Predator: Combat RPAs bring the future faster

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — As the official retirement of the MQ-1 Predator approaches, many people reflect on the new and innovative capabilities it provided on the battlefield over its tenure. Its shift from an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to a multi-role platform, further shaped the outlook of senior leaders and combatant commanders alike. The MQ-1 revolutionized the Air Force’s use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft in dynamic situations, inevitably paving the way for an all MQ-9 Reaper force.

Airmen assigned to the 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Reaper Aircraft Maintenance Unit coordinate to load a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition during a weapons load competition Dec. 8, 2017, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. Weapons load competitions help build camaraderie and highlight the load crew’s capabilities to load munitions safely. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Haley Stevens)

Dec. 21, 2017

432nd Wing: Any time, any place, any condition

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The Airmen assigned to the 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron pride themselves on staying mission ready and recently hosted their first weapons load competition dressed in full chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives gear in more than three years December 8, 2017, at Creech. Like most Air Force maintenance units that use weapons load competitions to boost unit morale and highlight the team’s capabilities, Creech has held these competitions for its remotely piloted aircraft load crews since 2009. The event is composed of assessments such as a written test, tool kit evaluation, and a weapons load where safety procedures and time are closely monitored.

An MQ-9 Reaper flies a training mission Oct. 18, 2017, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. MQ-9 and MQ-1 Predator aircrews helped liberate 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. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Clausen)

Dec. 4, 2017

Raqqah liberated: Combat RPAs in the fight

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — 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 Reaper were heavily integrated during combat operations to liberate the city. RPA aircrews tirelessly flew more than 44,000 hours and employed approximately 20 percent of the coalition strike effort.

As MQ-1 Predators phase out, the Air Force’s newest Block 5 MQ-9 Reapers are assuming responsibilities in combat areas to satisfy the need for uninterrupted persistent attack and reconnaissance capabilities.

Oct. 6, 2017

Upgraded MQ-9s continue to deploy downrange

CREEECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — As MQ-1 Predators transition from the Air Force’s active-duty aircraft inventory, they are being replaced downrange by the newly upgraded “Block 5” MQ-9 Reapers. This enables combatant commanders’ uninterrupted persistent attack and reconnaissance capabilities. The recent upgrades include updated software and increased flight range. Airmen at Creech AFB are working to make the transition a smooth one as they continue overseeing the shipment process for a total of 16 Block 5s which will be delivered to various areas of responsibility.

An MQ-9 Reaper stands ready to provide warfighters with persistent attack and reconnaissance to the U.S. and joint coalition partners. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Adarius Petty)

July 31, 2017

Red Flag 17-3 integrates MQ-9 Reaper

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – 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.

Tech. Sgt. Christopher, 867th Attack Squadron MQ-9 Reaper sensor operator, shares a laugh with spectators of the Wings Over Solano air show May 6, 2017, at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. Interacting with spectators gave MQ-9 crews the opportunity to dispel myths, provide information and explain the reaper mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christian Clausen)

May 9, 2017

MQ-9 model heads west to Travis AFB

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Eleven aircrew, intelligence and maintenance Airmen from Creech AFB, showcased the MQ-9 Reaper at the Wings Over Solano air show May 6-7, 2017, at Travis AFB, Calif., making it the first time the MQ-9 model has been to the West Coast. During the airshow, Creech Airmen spoke with thousands of attendees to provide information about the Reaper enterprise.

An MQ-9 Reaper is loaded with a GBU-12 laser-guided bomb on the left and a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition on the right April 13, 2017, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The JDAM is a GPS guided munition which brings added capability to the warfighters, specifically by aircrews being able to employ weapons through inclement weather. The first two GBU-38s employed in training successfully hit their targets May 1, 2017, over the Nevada Test and Training Range. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christian Clausen)

May 5, 2017

MQ-9 Reapers add to arsenal, first GBU-38 dropped

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Airmen from the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing and the 26th Weapons Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., made history earlier this week, by employing the first GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition from an MQ-9 Reaper for training and in combat downrange.

The GNAT 750 was the first long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft. After it was purchased by the United States Air Force, it would evolve into the RQ-1 Predator during the 1990s to fly its first missions over the Balkans during the Kosovo conflict. (Courtesy Photo)

Dec. 15, 2016

The evolution of the combat RPA

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — In the 1980s, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency added modern day technology to the decades old idea of using remotely piloted aircraft for reconnaissance purposes. Little did DARPA or the Air Force know how impactful this development would be. As a result the Air Force immediately purchased a long endurance remotely piloted aircraft called the GNAT 750 resulting in the creation, production and development of the RQ-1 Predator of the early 1990s. By 1996, operators were flying intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions over the Balkans providing an eye in the sky during a period of unrest.

Col. Case Cunningham, 432nd Wing commander, Col. David Bissonnette, 432nd Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Greg, 432nd Wing acting command chief, watch the 489th Attack Squadron reactivation ceremony Dec. 2, 2016, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The unit will assume responsibility of aircraft launch and recovery in deployed environments, operating on a rotational basis to relieve the deployment cycle for other flying squadrons on base. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Kristan Campbell)

Dec. 9, 2016

Centennial squadron reactivates at Creech

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — It’s not every day that a timeworn piece of history is taken off the shelf, dusted off and given new meaning in today’s military. On December 2, 2016, Creech Air Force Base leadership reactivated the 489th Attack Squadron and brought new purpose to a unit older than the Air Force itself.

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