The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing recently inactivated its detached MQ-1 Predator launch and recovery squadron at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The 60th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron logged some 24,000 combat flying hours in support of three regional combatant commands, and was credited with killing 69 enemy combatants, including five high-value targets, since November 2014, according to a Nov. 23 release. The 60th ERS was responsible for all MQ-1 operations from the African continent. The unit operated MQ-1s from Chabelley Airport several miles west of Camp Lemonnier, after the Pentagon moved RPA operations there to avoid commercial air traffic. The Air Force is phasing out the MQ-1 in favor of the more capable MQ-9 Reaper, which operates from Chabelley and Arba Minch Airport, Ethiopia, in east Africa, as well as other forward operating locations in support of US, allied, and partner operations. The unit inactivated in an Oct. 7 ceremony, according to officials.
A top Pentagon tech official called on industry this week to help the military develop “lighter, more efficient” directed energy weapons designed to go on aircraft and conduct special operations missions or down drones—areas where the Air Force’s directed energy efforts have been quiet as of late.