Eglin AFB, Fla., is a candidate to host an Air Force Reserve Command MQ-1 remotely piloted aircraft squadron. If the Air Force leadership ultimately decides to station this unit at Eglin, the base would welcome about 140 Reservists and associated equipment. There would be no beddown of MQ-1 aircraft there, only ground control systems. That’s because these airmen would control Predators in flight that are operating out of distant or overseas locations under a set-up called remote split operations, or RSO, and through use of satellite communications links that make the remote control possible. AFRC officials will begin conducting detailed evaluations at Eglin. They will brief the results to the USAF leadership, who will then select the preferred location for the unit. Announcement of the preferred site is anticipated this summer. (Robins report)
The United States Air Force is flying less than historic norms and funding for acquisition and readiness is on a path to further hollow out this too small and old force to that is incapable of sustaining an enduring combat air campaign.
