Experienced Member
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This strategy puts the Navy at the forefront of the Pentagon's efforts to field combat drones; the U.S. Air Force has decided to create a manned design for its next-generation bomber for fielding in 2018.
I don't think the above statement is "totally" accurate.
If Creech Air Force Base ISN'T fielding Combat Drones; then, I'm confused:
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U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE
On June 20, 2005, Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field officially changed its name to Creech Air Force Base in honor of Gen. Wilbur L. "Bill" Creech. As the commander of Tactical Air Command from 1978 to 1984, General Creech shaped the Air Force of today with a call for new weapons and tactics. He revolutionized the Air Force by espousing a philosophy of decentralized authority and responsibility. He was also known as the "father of the Thunderbirds," the Air Force's premiere air demonstration squadron.
The airfield that now bears General Creech's name was originally built by the Army in the early 1940s to support the war effort during World War II. A month after the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army began building a training camp near the community of Indian Springs, Nev. By the end of 1942, the service had contracted for regular facilities and by the end of February 1943 the base was being used as a divert field and base for air-to-air gunnery training.
The little post was in service supporting B-17s and T-6s until March 1945 when the Army put the base in stand-by status maintained by a small housekeeping staff. When Las Vegas Army Air Field inactivated in January 1947, Indian Springs also closed down.
The base re-opened in January 1948 and two years later received its first permanently assigned Air Force unit. In August 1951 the base became an auxiliary field and in July 1952 transferred from Air Training Command to the Air Research and Development Command, reporting to the Air Force Special Weapons Center in Albuquerque, N.M.
In 1961 the base transferred to the Tactical Air Command. It officially became Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field during the 1980s. Following the inactivation of Tactical Air Command In 1992, the base became a component of Air Combat Command.
Along with being the aerial demonstration training site for the Thunderbirds, today the base plays a major role in the ongoing war on terrorism. The base is home to the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle which flies daily in Afghanistan and Iraq. The base is also home to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Battlelab whose mission is to work with the warfighter and identify problems that can be solved using innovative UAV solutions.
Location
Creech AFB is located about 45 miles northwest of Nellis AFB. It takes an hour to drive from Nellis to Creech AFB. Nellis AFB provides daily round-trip shuttle bus service from Nellis to Creech. There is also a park-and-ride facility on U.S. 95 in northwest Las Vegas that serves Creech AFB and the Department of Energy's Nevada Test Site. Very few Airmen assigned to Creech AFB live in the nearby town of Indian Springs, which has a population of about 1,000 people and few services.
Major Units
98th Southern Ranges Support Squadron
The 98th Southern Ranges Support Squadron is responsible for the day-to-day support of Creech AFB, Point Bravo logistics site and the Nevada Test and Training Range southern ranges. The squadron supports Airmen assigned to the 57th Wing, 99th Air Base Wing and 98th Range. In addition to fire protection and emergency medical treatment, the squadron also oversees airfield operations and management, civil engineering, food services, lodging, transportation, logistics, communications and base and range security. It is also responsible for the bed-down and support of all deployments to Creech AFB.
11th Reconnaissance Squadron
The 11th RS operates the MQ-1B remotely piloted aircraft, a medium-altitude multi-sensor armed reconnaissance platform. The 11th RS is the formal training unit that conducts all Predator aircrew initial qualification training as well as instructor upgrade training.
757th Maintenance Squadron
The 757th AMXS has 350 personnel maintaining RQ-1/MQ-1 Predator systems, including 28 remotely piloted aircraft, ground control stations, and Predator Primary Satellite Links. It generates 575 sorties annually for worldwide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike capability for three reconnaissance squadrons and the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group.
99th Ground Combat Training Squadron
The 99th GCTS provides warrior skills training for all ACC security forces and combat support elements at Creech AFB. This squadron provides advanced ground combat weapons and tactics instruction that enhance the combat capabilities of U.S. Air Force ground forces essential to sortie generation who are confronted with a potential for combat during hostilities.
Joint UAS Center of Excellence
The Joint Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence improves interoperability and use, and examines the use of sensors and intelligence collection assets to meet joint operational requirements of U.S. forces in any combat environment. The COE is an operationally focused organization concentrating on UAS technology, joint concepts, training, tactics, and procedural solutions to the warfighters' needs. The Joint COE stood up at Creech AFB in 2005.
The Army initially led the Joint UAS COE with the Air Force as deputy. These positions rotate among the four military services. The center will eventually have representatives from all four military services and other DOD and non-DOD agencies.
Point of Contact
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, 4430 Grissom Ave., Ste 107, Nellis AFB, Nev., 89191; DSN 682-2750, commercial (702) 652-2750, 99abw.pa@nellis.af.mil.
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From A Proud Vietnam Veteran
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