The Air Force has activated a new unmanned aerial vehicle unit, Det. 4 of the 53rd Test Management Group. The detachment, located at Creech AFB, Nev., comprises some 10 airmen—program managers, flight test analysts, and engineers—whose job is to manage operational test and evaluation of the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper UAVs. The 53rd TMG resides at Eglin AFB, Fla.
Air Force depots are not typically meant for quick repair jobs, but during Operation Epic Fury, the service moved some of its stateside heavy maintenance capability forward to fix battle-damaged aircraft closer to the fight.
