Reps. Michael Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Sam Johnson (R-Tex.), Steve Pearce (R-N.M.), Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), and David Wu (D-Ore.) all got a good look at the Force Protection Aerial Surveillance System during a recent visit to Balad AB, Iraq. Members of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron demonstrated how the force protection tool provides security by combining UAV technology with traditional force protection activities. “Desert Hawk,” as the program is known, was developed by Air Force Materiel Command in 2004 for deployment to Southwest Asia, as part of urgently needed force protection capabilities.
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.
