It Went, It Conquered, It Came Home: The prototype Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle, designated Air Vehicle No. 3, first sent to Southwest Asia in 2002 should arrive back at Edwards AFB, Calif., on Feb. 20. The Air Force has operated the prototype in the global war on terror for more than four years, during which time it amassed 4, 245 combat flying hours. It has been replaced by production model Global Hawks.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.