U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Tests Ability To Rapidly Deploy Predators

A C-17 Globemaster III takes off from Balad Air Base, Iraq as a U.S. Air Force MQ-1L Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) waits to be launched

September 22, 2013. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

Air Force Times recently reported on an interesting strategy the Air Force Special Operations Command is embarking on. The command has taken its rapid-deploy strategy to Predator UAVs.

Air Force Times reports that special operators have recently tested their ability to load two MQ-1 Predators onto a C-17, deploy and set up at an expeditionary base within four hours of landing, said Brig. Gen. Buck Elton, the director of plans, programs, requirements and assessments for Air Force Special Operations Command.

“We are able to rapidly deploy [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] capability to an area that didn’t have the pipes and infrastructure that could support what we wanted to do,” Elton said.