It’s a babe in the woods 
compared to its brethren, but the Predator operators in Iraq say flying their latest acquisition is a treat because of its low miles, reports SSgt. Kenya Shiloh at Ali Base, Iraq. The new MQ-1 unmanned aerial vehicle, fresh from the factory, flew its first combat mission on Feb. 8. Most of the Air Force’s Predator UAVs fly several missions per day, averaging more than 400 flying hours per month. Maj. Tommy Hoard, commander of the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron’s Det. 1 at Ali Base, said, “If there’s anything going on, there’s always a UAS [unmanned aerial system] overhead.” Hoard, who is one of the in-theater operators who perform UAV launch and recovery, added, “When the guys on the ground are calling for something, they’re calling for us to be there.”
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.