The Air Force announced last week that Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the preferred site to host an Air Force Reserve Command MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft squadron, pending an environmental assessment. “The Air Force looks forward to working with the communities surrounding this base to ensure any concerns are addressed,” said Kathleen Ferguson, USAF’s deputy assistant secretary for installations. The remote split-operations squadron will include 140 personnel and associated equipment; however, there will be no MQ-1s based there. Instead, the Reservists will use ground control stations at Hurlburt, equipped with satellite communications links, to operate Predators in combat zones overseas. The Air Force leadership announced in May that the Eglin Complex in Florida, including Hurlburt, Eglin Air Force Base, Duke Field, Camp Rudder, and Choctaw Field, was the candidate location. (Hurlburt release)
Meink: Air Force Has Five More E-7s Under Contract
April 30, 2026
The Air Force has contracts in place for five additional E-7A Wedgetail airborne battle management aircraft, Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers April 30. Meink also said the Department of the Air Force wants to work with Congress to find ways to continue to fund the E-7 next year and beyond,…