Las Vegas NowNellis AFB Predator Squadron is Activated

Nellis AFB Predator Squadron is Activated

Nellis Air Force Base is welcoming a new squadron. At the Oct. 28th ceremony, the 3rd Special Operations Squadron was officially activated. Members will be working with the hi-tech Predator aircraft.

The Predator aircraft is used primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is no pilot. All 60 planes are flown remotely from the headquarters at Nellis AFB. The planes do surveillance work over the countries and the military is becoming quite dependent upon these aircraft.

This new squadron will begin with just 20 active-duty airmen. But over the next two years it will grow to more than 400. Both National Guard and reserve positions will be included.

The Predator planes are so important because they don't have pilots, which make them much safer. They are equipped with two missiles. They fly over war zones and give the Air Force a constant picture of where the troops are on the ground and any potential problems they may face.

Many of the airmen joining this squadron will have to get used to their new roles. They're familiar with working in the thick of the action. Now, they'll be stationed at Nellis while their planes do all the work oversees.

Major James Roughneen, with Nellis AFB, said, "We're really thrilled. We come from a flying background. I was on a C-130 myself. We have gunship guys, helicopter guys, so it's a little bit different for us. It's a little bit of a step back from being in the cockpit and being shot at, but this technology is extremely exciting and I think the technology is going to a long way toward furthering our objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Working with and flying the Predators is not a part-time job. For the past 3 years, these planes have been flying 24-hours a day, 7 days a week monitoring the war zones.

Contact Reporter Atle Erlingsson