Gen. Paul Hester, commander of Pacific Air Forces, has told Air Force leaders that, if PACAF gains Predator unmanned aerial vehicles, he would prefer to station one squadron on the Korean peninsula and one at either Hawaii or Guam, according to a senior USAF official. So far, however, US Central Command requirements have been so voracious that all available Predators go there. Still, Hester believes the missions in the Pacific justify installing some Predator units. For one thing, the Pacific theater has seen most of the biggest humanitarian crises in the last few years and having some Predators available to deal with tsunami relief or mudslides would be advantageous. The senior official noted that Predators are “enormously useful” for such work.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
