In-demand Predators hit 400,000 mission hours

[unhappycamper]

In-demand Predators hit 400,000 mission hours
Staff report
Posted : Thursday Aug 21, 2008 7:14:58 EDT

It took 12 years for the fleet of MQ-1 Predators to reach 250,000 mission hours in June 2007. Just 14 months later, a Predator somewhere over Iraq or Afghanistan pushed the fleet past its 400,000-hour mark.

The milestone mission was flown Aug. 18 by a pilot and sensor operator with the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., the Air Force announced Tuesday.

The Air Force has scrambled to add UAV combat air patrols in the war zones since Defense Secretary Robert Gates publicly chided the service this spring for not getting more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets into theater.

A 25th orbit was added in June, and the Air Force plans to hit 27 patrols in September.

At their current rate, Predators will pass 500,000 flight hours in early 2009.


Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/08/airforce_predator_milestone_082008/%2e