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#1185 MQ-1B Predator

MQ-1B Predator
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£10.00 €11.68 $12.47
43.8 cm x 29.2 cm
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MQ-1B Predator
00-3015
15 RS, 432 Wg
Creech AFB, Nevada
US - Air Force
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Description

Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1185 - MQ-1B Predator, 00-3015, 15RS, 432Wg, Creech AFB, Nevada. \'Combat Pigeons\' The 15th Reconnaissance Squadron currently flies the MQ-1 Predator and provides combatant commanders with deployable, long endurance, near real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and weapon delivery capabilities. Currently the 15th RS organizes, trains, and employs the USAF Predator operations from Creech AFB, Nevada. The 15th flies missions in theater from Creech through Remote Split Operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In February 2009 the 15th set a record for monthly hours of 5,397 combat hours in one month by flying Intelligence Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions, Close Air Support missions, as well as ground forces, convoy, and raid support over watch missions. The unit traces its history back to May 9, 1917, The Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, redesignated the unit as the 15th Aero Squadron on August 22, 1917. The Squadron served as a flying training unit between 1917-1919. After a short stint on the inactive list and a series of organizational changes, the unit emerged as the 15th Observation Squadron on 25 January 1923. During World War II, the 15th helped photo-map 160 miles of the French coast in preparation for the Normandy landing. On D-Day the 15th received credit for the first air to air victory and the first aerial victory by a tactical reconnaissance pilot, 2 other kills were also made during D-Day by the 15th. After D-day the 15th was the first Air Force unit to operate east of the Rhine River. After WWII the 15th was deactivated. The 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photo-jet, was reactivated on February 5, 1951, in Japan and immediately deployed to Korea to provide visual and photographic reconnaissance. During this time the Squadron operated out of many bases in the Far East to fly the deep penetrating missions over far-eastern Russia, Chinese mainland, North Korea and Manchuria. RF-86 Sabre pilots flew these top-secret, high-danger, unarmed photo reconnaissance missions deep into China and almost 1,000 miles into the Soviet Union. The missions flew at close to 600 mph, often close to 55,000 feet. The unit flew F/RF-80s and F/RF-86s during this period. In March 1954 the unit moved back to Japan and in August 1956, moved to Okinawa. The unit transitioned to RF-84s from 1956-1958 and then to the RF-101s and moved to Kadena Air Base in Japan, continuing its long history of photographic reconnaissance. The unit became heavily involved in Southeast Asia in early 1965-1966. During the summer and fall of 1966, the Squadron transitioned to the RF-4C, the aircraft that it was to operate for the next 25 years. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Squadron maintained aerial surveillance capabilities in support of American ground, naval and air forces in the Far East. The 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron was deactivated October 1, 1990. The unit was reactivated as the 15th Tactical Intelligence Squadron on February 20, 1991. On April 13, 1992, the unit was re-designated as the 15th Air Intelligence Squadron. On June 1, 1994, it was once more deactivated. The 15th Reconnaissance Squadron is historically the oldest squadron in the 432nd Wing and one of the first armed UAS squadrons. Between 1997 and 2005 the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron supported Operations JOINT ENDEVOR, ALLIED FORCE, SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN. In December 2002 the unit was credited with the first unmanned aerial vehicle air to air engagement against a manned aircraft. Starting in 2005, the unit trained California Air National Guard\'s 163d Reconnaissance Wing members to operate the MQ-1. The 18th RS was formed from the 15th and officially split in 2009. The Squadron has earned 15 combat streamers and 20 decorations during its distinguished history and flown 610,078 remotely piloted hours.
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