# News

## U.S. Air Force LogoUnited States Air Force

# MQ-9 Reaper completes first mission using dirt landing zone

              - Published  June 21, 2023
              - 919th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

**SANDERSON, Texas (AFNS) --  **
Just south of Fort Stockton is one of the largest private armed forces training centers in the country, the **Nine Mile Training Center** — an expansive terrain offering privacy from prying eyes and the perfect opportunity to unleash the **MQ-9 Reaper** remotely piloted aircraft.

At this remote dirt strip in West Texas, members from the 2nd Special Operations Squadron, 727th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 311th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron teamed up with Airmen from the 26th Special Tactics Squadron out of **Cannon Air Force Base**, New Mexico, June 15, to carve their next milestone into **Air Force Special Operations Command** history.Working together, the air commandos conducted the first MQ-9 landing on a dirt landing zone."This is a significant achievement for **Air Force Reserve Command**, AFSOC, the MQ-9 community and the joint force as a whole,” said Lt. Col. Brian Flanigan, 2nd SOS director of operations. “This team of aircrew, maintainers and special tactics Airmen have proven the Reaper can operate anywhere in the world and is no longer beholden to the ‘leash’ of perfectly paved runways or line-of-sight antennas traditionally used to takeoff and land the aircraft.”
A MQ-9 Reaper sits on the flightline at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., June 7, 2023. Members from 2nd Special Operations Squadron and 311th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron teamed up with Airmen from 26th Special Tactics Squadron out of Cannon AFB, N.M., for a training certification exercise. The 311th SOS and 2nd SOS are innovating ways to provide geospatial intelligence to downrange forces and vital supplies for launch and recovery humanitarian efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Doniell Mojazza)
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An MQ-9 Reaper rests inside a hangar at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., June 7, 2023. The attached travel pod allows combatant commanders to use the aircraft to deliver vital supplies in a confined area instead of relying on a cargo aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Maj. Doniell Mojazza)
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