LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The proliferation of unmanned “drones” as a vital element of the Close Air Support chain has increased dramatically over the last few months. The operations (separate from the CIA-led operations that target Al-Qaeda in Waziristan) benefit from the long loiter time of these aircraft over a target area, ensuring that troops on the ground have a dedicated resource to deliver extra firepower when they need it. 
The most common such aircraft are the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, both of which are remotely operated by the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing of the US Air Force from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada. Commanding the 432nd is Colonel Pete Gersten, and this September he’ll be outlining the many challenges of operating these platforms at Defence IQ’s Close Air Support conference.
The issues that arise from remotely flying Close Air Support missions over 5,000 miles away are considerable. For a start, Afghanistan’s airspace is incredibly busy with conventional manned aircraft operations – be they fast jets, large supply aircraft or essential tactical movements by helicopters. But the benefits that both Predator and Reaper bring are so great that Allied militaries are willing to expend considerable effort on integrating these aircraft within their current force structure. In addition to the ability to deliver weapons accurately, both platforms have highly capable sensor suites that enable invaluable tactical visual intelligence to be shared with other friendly forces in the area – providing an unprecedented level of situational awareness.
Speaking ahead of the event, Conference Director Keith Mallon said “We’re delighted that Colonel Gersten is joining us for this important occasion. There are many fascinating sessions at this event, but it’s the session on unmanned systems that has really caught the Close Air Support community’s attention”.
The Defence IQ conference, now in it’s 7th year is dedicated to exploring both the air and ground elements to Close Air Support with themes on target acquisition, air-land integration and the training and development of highly trained personnel to coordinate CAS missions from the ground. Taking place at the Russell Hotel, London from 28-30 September, more information can be found at www.closeairsupport.co.uk
http://www.closeairsupport.co.uk
For more information on the Close Air Support or on Defence IQ, see the website at
http://www.closeairsupport.co.uk
Contact:
Defence IQ
The most common such aircraft are the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, both of which are remotely operated by the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing of the US Air Force from Creech Air Force Base in Nevada. Commanding the 432nd is Colonel Pete Gersten, and this September he’ll be outlining the many challenges of operating these platforms at Defence IQ’s Close Air Support conference.The issues that arise from remotely flying Close Air Support missions over 5,000 miles away are considerable. For a start, Afghanistan’s airspace is incredibly busy with conventional manned aircraft operations – be they fast jets, large supply aircraft or essential tactical movements by helicopters. But the benefits that both Predator and Reaper bring are so great that Allied militaries are willing to expend considerable effort on integrating these aircraft within their current force structure. In addition to the ability to deliver weapons accurately, both platforms have highly capable sensor suites that enable invaluable tactical visual intelligence to be shared with other friendly forces in the area – providing an unprecedented level of situational awareness.
Speaking ahead of the event, Conference Director Keith Mallon said “We’re delighted that Colonel Gersten is joining us for this important occasion. There are many fascinating sessions at this event, but it’s the session on unmanned systems that has really caught the Close Air Support community’s attention”.
The Defence IQ conference, now in it’s 7th year is dedicated to exploring both the air and ground elements to Close Air Support with themes on target acquisition, air-land integration and the training and development of highly trained personnel to coordinate CAS missions from the ground. Taking place at the Russell Hotel, London from 28-30 September, more information can be found at www.closeairsupport.co.uk
http://www.closeairsupport.co.uk
For more information on the Close Air Support or on Defence IQ, see the website at
http://www.closeairsupport.co.uk
Contact:
Defence IQ
Liz McAleer,
Head of Marketing
Close Air Support 2009
Tel: +44 (0) 207 368 9300
Email: enquire@iqpc.co.uk
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