Behind the Scenes With Predator: Predator UAVs flying over Iraq are directed by pilots and sensor operators who may be sitting at Creech AFB, Nev., and, sometimes, Balad AB, Iraq, and they are maintained by 61 USAF airmen and three RAF airmen on the scene in Balad, reports Air Force journalist SSgt. Tammie Moore. They include aircraft avionics, tactical aircraft maintenance, weapons, ground communication, and aerospace ground equipment technicians and support personnel. The US airmen come from Creech—and only Creech, right now—forming part of USAF’s low density, high demand forces, which means they deploy more often than a single air expeditionary force rotation per year. They run a 24-hour operation in Iraq, spending much more time maintaining the Predators because of the wear of long-duration operational missions.
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…