1 In 5 U.S. Drone Flights Against The Islamic State Results In A Missile Strike

The Air Force recently approved two initiatives for the remotely piloted aircraft career field. Eight RPA reconnaissance squadrons will be redesignated as attack squadrons, and the Air Force has also authorized RPA aircrews to log combat time when flying an aircraft within designated hostile airspace, regardless of the aircrew's physical location. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. N.B.)

Air Force Times: ISIS kill missions: 1 in 5 drone flights includes a missile strike

Nearly one in five of the Air Force's remotely piloted aircraft missions against the Islamic State involves strikes against the militants, according to Air Forces Central Command.

MQ-1 Predators and MQ-9 Reapers, armed with Hellfire missiles, have flown a third of the Air Force's sorties against Islamic State militants since the start of Operation Inherent Resolve, providing intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance. The unmanned aircraft have hit ISIS targets on 17 percent of those sorties, according to AFCENT statistics provided to Air Force Times.

"When comparing manned vs. unmanned aircraft, it's not important where the aircrew sits to deliver the effects, it’s the effect it delivers that matters," said AFCENT spokeswoman Lt. Col. Kristi Beckman. "The MQ-1 and MQ-9 aircraft deliver persistent attack and reconnaissance and are vital complements to the AFCENT inventory. Both of these platforms, like our manned aircraft, bring different but indispensable qualities to the fight."

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WNU Editor: And the use of drones is increasing .... Air Force Mulls Adding More Bases for MQ-9 Reaper Drones (Dod Buzz). More here .... USAF redesignates eight MQ-1 Predator units as attack squadrons (Flight Global).

Update: Keeping drone pilots is also becoming a priority for the US Air Force .... Air Force approves RPA initiatives (US Air Force).