The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing received a new MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft and immediately put it into action at Joint Base Balad in Iraq on February 13th.

"As far as getting a new aircraft, it's not very often in the Predator community you are launching a brand-new plane that's never been flown operationally before," said Lt. Col. Debra Lee, 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron commander. "The one we received today only had four hours on it, which includes testing time back in the United States." After arriving at the base disassembled and packed in a crate, the remotely-piloted plane used for reconnaissance and strike missions (if needed) was reassembled within two days and up and flying its perfect first trip into blue Iraqi skies on "Friday the Thirteenth."

At 5:00 p.m. local, the plane went through a series of checks and the engine started. After another series of power and brake checks, maintainers pulled away the chocks (pieces of heavy wood holding the tires in place) and, a few seconds later, the Predator carefully taxied out to the runway -- which is also used by fighter, cargo and civilian aircraft. Twenty minutes before sundown, the MQ-1 aircraft launched from the desert base without a hitch, rising high into the light blue sky to help provide overwatch and security for U.S. and coalition forces and Iraqis alike. Back in the control booth, Colonel Lee and sensor operator Senior Airman Charlie Cui were busy talking to controllers and each other while working a multitude of buttons, controls, and radios. The entire system is comprised of the ground-control system, a satellite link, personnel, and the aircraft itself.

(Source: Air Force Link, Major Stan Paregien, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs — Photos — top, Predator taking off at Joint Base Balad — bottom, Lt. Col. Debra Lee flying an MQ-1 Predator — U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tiffany Trojca)