The Royal Air Force’s uncrewed MQ-9A Reaper has reached the milestone of 10 years of sustained global operations controlled from the UK..jpeg)
The remotely piloted air system, or RPAS, has been controlled by XIII Squadron based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, since 2013. Squadron staff marked the achievement on 24th April, while deployed personnel in the Middle East, where the Reaper is physically based, recognised the occasion with the long-standing military tradition of painting a blast wall.
I am proud of the what the Squadron has achieved over the last 10 years, delivering a steady drumbeat of operations 24/7, including Operation Herrick in Afghanistan and Operation Shader combatting Daesh in Iraq and Syria.
Wing Commander Stuart McAdam,
Officer Commanding XIII Squadron
The RAF’s XIII Squadron is responsible for providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to troops on the ground. The Squadron’s pilots can control the Reapers from either Static or Mobile Ground Control Stations to deliver time critical information and support attack missions to allied forces such as the British Army or NATO.
In 2024, XIII Squadron is due to operate the RAF’s new MQ-9B Protector aircraft, an advanced ‘medium altitude long endurance’ RPAS replacing the Reaper. They will be joined by the reformed 31 Squadron, which will also be based at RAF Waddington.
Before basing operations from the East Midlands, the RAF’s Reapers were controlled by UK personnel based at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, USA. XIII Squadron continues to play a crucial role in conflicts worldwide and currently operates the MQ-9A Reaper for Operation Shader, combatting Daesh in Syria and Iraq, and other operations and exercises in the Middle East.
In a long-standing military tradition, the occasion was marked by decorating a blast wall at 83 Expeditionary Air Group HQ, the RAF’s operational headquarters in the Middle East, and where ground staff handle and maintain the Reaper. At 13:13 local time the final brush strokes were laid.
It is important to recognise the Squadron’s 10 years on constant operations and having the privilege to be effective from outside the operational theatre at home. XIII’s commitment to Operation Shader will continue with Reaper and transition into Protector so the wall will stay relevant for years to come.
Flight Lieutenant White,
RPAS Pilot
Blast walls are designed to protect military personnel and equipment from explosions, making them an essential part of any military operation, however painting them with commemorative artwork has become an international military tradition.