Reaper serves as friend to allies, 'Grim Reaper' to foes

Published July 25, 2008
By Laura McGowan
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper flew its first operational mission in Iraq July 18, providing joint force commanders with an added weapon system against emerging targets.

The MQ-9 Reaper is a medium-to-high altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft system. In addition to its primary role as a persistent hunter-killer of targets, the Reaper also acts as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset, employing sensors to provide real-time data to commanders and intelligence specialists at all levels.

To get the Reaper to the warfighter, the 703rd Aeronautical Systems Group executes rapid acquisition, development, testing and sustainment of the Reaper weapons system to support current and future warfighter needs from cradle to grave. The 703rd AESG is part of the Aeronautical Systems Center. Both organizations are located at Wright-Patterson AFB.

"Several years ago, the Secretary of Defense directed the 703rd to deliver MQ-9 hunter-killer capabilities 18 months early, resulting in the first combat employment in Afghanistan in September 2007," said Col. Christopher Coombs, commander of the 703rd AESG. "Working together with Air Combat Command and the prime contractor, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., all the stops were pulled out to surge the capability to the field.

"The MQ-9, without a doubt, is a force multiplier, and its suite of sensors and communications links provide airmen on the battlefield persistent awareness of their surroundings and a robust target prosecution capability," Colonel Coombs continued.

"The Reaper has an electro-optical sensor and high resolution radar that can see targets through the clouds, and it can also carry a mix of 500-pound bombs and Hellfire missiles," he said.

When asked how it feels to be involved with the Reaper program, Colonel Coombs said, "I think the Air Force Chief of Staff stated it best, 'The Reaper is a significant evolution in capability for the Air Force. These aircraft have evolved from performing mainly intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms to carrying out true hunter-killer missions.'" He said, "It is an honor to command the Air Force and contractor teams, providing this evolution in capability of Reapers to successfully execute GWOT missions, and without a doubt, this system adds to our arsenal and saves lives."

Lt. Col. Micah Morgan is the commander of the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron, Balad Air Base, Iraq. He is dual-qualified in the Reaper and the Predator in all phases of flight. Colonel Morgan was involved with the Reaper's first operational mission in Iraq. He commands the deployed Airmen who operate and maintain all the Predators and Reapers supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"The Air Force has an extremely disciplined targeting process and strict rules of engagement," Colonel Morgan said. "These strict rules reduce collateral damage tremendously, and with our accurate on-board sensors, we ensure the target is destroyed and nothing else."

"We are part of a complex kill chain, which involves real-time command and control of the lethal assets," he said. "The Reaper has a great advantage over other aircraft. We have small, low yield weapons as well as 500-pound bombs."

To choreograph a successful Reaper mission involves teamwork between pilot and sensor operator. Maj. Jon Chesser, an MQ-9 instructor pilot, describes the feeling he gets from "flying" the Reaper as much like the one he got flying an F-15E.

"Sounds funny, but [it's] very true," the major said. "I used to fly in the back seat of the F-15E as a weapons system operator, and [the feeling] is very similar. [With the Reaper], you get the same feeling of accomplishment after helping the guys out on the ground as you do in an airplane that you 'fly in,' and the fact that you're not risking a pilot's life in the process is an added bonus."

According to Senior Master Sgt. Ralph Goodwater, superintendent of Reaper operations in Iraq, the sensor operator role is similar to a co-pilot/weapon systems officer.

"The sensor operator has the responsibility of assisting the pilot with take-offs, landings, air speeds, altitude, approach speeds, weapons employment and airspace deconfliction," Sergeant Goodwater said. "The sensor operator must have a skilled level of airmanship to cross check all the functions that are required to fly safely in any airspace."

When asked what the Reaper brings to the fight, Sergeant Goodwater said, "Fire power and persistence. The Reaper, because it's unmanned, has the ability to loiter for extended periods of time and can deliver a combination of weapons if the target situation changes."

As for the Reaper's lethality, Colonel Morgan added, "If I were an insurgent fighting against the coalition, I'd quit."