The 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base Balad in Iraq has completed its mission after five years. “To my knowledge [this is] the most heavily combat engaged, highly decorated security forces unit in Air Force history,” said Col. David Marttala, commander of the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group, during the unit’s inactivation ceremony July 31. The squadron oversaw the Air Force’s military working dog teams, law and order teams, and police transition teams in Iraq. It has “maintained the deployed footprint of more than 500 [joint expeditionary tasking security forces] airmen at more than 20 locations, executing some of the most unique, dangerous, and strategically important missions in Iraq,” said Marttala. During its tenure, five of its airmen lost their lives performing their mission. (Balad release by SSgt. Stacy Fowler) (For more on the squadron, see Leaving a Legacy.)
When Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Air Force Gen. Dan Caine described the 150 aircraft used in Operation Absolute Resolve, the mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, he referenced many by name, including the F-35 and F-22 fighters and B-1 bomber. Not specified, however, were “remotely piloted drones,” among them a secretive aircraft spotted and photographed returning to Puerto…
