Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Airman First Class Ryder Luzadder, left, and Staff Sgt. Jose Feliciano look over technical orders for a ground control station May 28, 2014, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.  Ryder and Feliciano are communications technicians with the 432nd Aircraft Communications Maintenance Squadron.  The 432nd ACMS is responsible for providing 24/7, 365-day maintenance support to the communication infrastructure that supports the wing's global remotely piloted aircraft operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Adawn Kelsey)Airman First Class Ryder Luzadder, left, and Staff Sgt. Jose Feliciano look over technical orders for a ground control station May 28, 2014, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The 432nd Aircraft Communications Maintenance Squadron is responsible for providing 24/7, 365-day maintenance support to the communication infrastructure that supports the wing's global remotely piloted aircraft operations. Ryder and Feliciano are communications technicians with the 432nd ACMS.(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Adawn Kelsey)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        A sensor operator and pilot follow a vehicle with a remotely piloted aircraft in a flight training simulator May 28, 2014, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.  The two-person crew was selected to fly the 65th air combat patrol, an initiative set by then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in Dec. 23, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Adawn Kelsey)140528-F-AW903-006
                        
                        
                        A sensor operator and pilot follow a vehicle with a remotely piloted aircraft in a flight training simulator May 28, 2014, at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.  The two-person crew was selected to fly the 65th air combat patrol, an initiative set by then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in Dec. 23, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Adawn Kelsey)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

RPA community launches 65th combat air patrolPublished June 9, 2014
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Adawn Kelsey
                    
                    
                    432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing
            **CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) --**The Remotely Piloted Aircraft enterprise reached new heights as the community pulled together to launch the 65th combat air patrol, or CAP, here on May 28.
Reaching 65 patrols by fiscal year 2013 was an initiative put in place by then former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, Dec. 23, 2009.
The constant growth of patrols, from 33 in 2008 to 65 in 2014, is just one example of the untapped capabilities of the RPA platform and provides insight into where the future of the program can go.
"This feat illustrates the professionalism of our Airmen, and the hard work and dedication they have for the mission 24/7, 365 days a year, in order to ensure the safety of ground forces across the globe," said Col. James Cluff, the 432nd Wing and 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander.
Reaching this milestone means the RPA community has almost doubled the amount of assets available for intelligence gathering, while also safeguarding more deployed service members. "This represents a series of extraordinary sacrifices by Airmen across the RPA enterprise," said Lt. Col. Cameron,  the former 42nd Attack Squadron commander. "A few short years ago, many thought this goal was unattainable."
Each CAP covers a specific area of operations, requiring multiple aircraft and up to 180 people, such as maintainers, communications experts, pilots, sensor operators, and intelligence Airmen, to operate successfully.
"I am able to provide constant vigilant support for the men and women (deployed overseas), said Capt. Andrew, an 18th Reconnaissance Squadron pilot. "We watch over them as they bed down for the night and make sure no threats are pushing them. It's a gratifying feeling."
The aircrew members who worked together to make the CAP possible were hand-picked by commanders from each unit that participated in the flight.
"I was honored to be selected for this goal-setting mission," said 1st Lt. Erick, a 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron pilot. "I think I speak for all 18X (Air Force Specialty Code prefix for RPA pilots) pilots when I say that we are ready and willing to take on the responsibility of moving the RPA community forward, and this launch exemplifies that sentiment.
"We couldn't have accomplished our goal without the tireless work of maintainers, communications personnel, and all the other Airmen involved in this sortie, especially our 42nd Attack Squadron brothers and sisters back home," Erick said.
Mission success on the communications side of the operation relies heavily on experienced, expertly trained personnel to ensure all systems are working correctly. That capability is provided by the 432nd Aircraft Communications Maintenance Squadron, which is responsible for maintaining the ground control stations, or GCS, from which pilots and sensor operators fly RPA missions.
Airman 1st Class Ryder Luzadder, 432nd ACMS communications technician, was one of the Airmen who ensured the GCS was prepared and ready to fly the 65th patrol.
"If we don't do our job exactly, it could mean that the mission is canceled, or in a worst case scenario an aircraft could crash," Luzadder said. "It takes about one year of on-the-job training to be able to do any task that we are presented with. There are always new things that pop up all the time that you just don't expect. We're unique from other communications Airmen because we see the missions that are flying worldwide every day. We play a direct role in the effort to save lives."
Meeting the initiative was no easy task and was made possible by a whole-team effort across the board.
"This is a culmination of an Air Force-wide effort to achieve (former) Secretary of Defense (Robert M.) Gates' initiative of 65 combat air patrols," said Col. James Chittenden, 432nd Wing and 432nd AEW vice commander. "We are incredibly proud of the Airmen of the 432nd AEW and their critical service to our nation's security."Remotly Piloted Aircraft 



Creech Air Force Base 



former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates 



 



combat air patrol Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF Kendall visits Bangor ANG Base
                    
                    Vice President Harris congratulates USAFA Class of ‘24
                    
                    Senate confirms Melissa Dalton as next Under Secretary of the Air Force
                    
                    ‘One Team, One Fight’: SecAF visits Keesler AFB
                    
                    SecAF Kendall experiences VISTA of future flight test at Edwards AFBInnovation
                AFSFC reaches final phase of fielding Model Defender gear
                    
                    Around the Air Force: PCS Allowances, Air Task Forces, All-Volunteer Force
                    
                    AFIMSC focuses I-WEPTAC topics on GPC solutions
                    
                    Optimizing AI, Air University hosts Artificial Intelligence Symposium
                    
                    AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAFMAJCOM News
                AFMC to expand AcqDemo workforce
                    
                    AFMC empowers small businesses for Air Force reoptimization
                    
                    Acquisition Instructor Course Class 25A open for nominations
                    
                    Air Guard leaders host 2024 Wing Leader Conference
                    
                    Referral bonuses aim to help fill mission-critical vacancies
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil