380 AEW receives first RQ-4B Global Hawk in Southwest Asia

Crew chiefs from the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, tow in the newest addition to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s airframes, an RQ-4B Global Hawk, shortly after its arrival May 11, 2011 in Southwest Asia. The Global Hawk is an unmanned aircraft that provides intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities over the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)

380 AEW receives first RQ-4B Global Hawk in Southwest Asia

Crew chiefs from the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, tow in the newest addition to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing’s airframes, an RQ-4B Global Hawk, shortly after its arrival May 11, 2011, in Southwest Asia. The RQ-4B model outperforms its predecessor with a 50 percent increase in payload capacity of 3,000lbs and operates with 2.5 times more electrical power. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maynelinne De La Cruz)

EQ-4 Global Hawk First Launch

A U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. from the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron waits in his vehicle before an EQ-4 Global Hawk's first launch from an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Nov. 29, 2010. The EQ-4 and other Global Hawk platforms utilize a chase vehicle to ensure the aircraft takes off successfully. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt. Eric Harris) (RELEASED)

Deployed Global Hawks surpass 30,000 combat flying hours, 1,500 sorties

Staff Sgt. Michael Goenner, an RQ-4 Global Hawk crew chief with the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Hawk aircraft maintenance unit, goes through pre-flight servicing while preparing a Global Hawk for a combat mission Feb. 12, 2010, at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. The RQ-4s, assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing and deployed from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., achieved 1,500 combat sorties and 30,000 combat flying hours on Feb. 10 and 11 respectively. Sergeant Goenner is deployed from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Beale AFB, and his hometown is Becker, Minn. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol/Released)

Deployed Global Hawks surpass 30,000 combat flying hours, 1,500 sorties

Staff Sgt. Michael Goenner, an RQ-4 Global Hawk crew chief with the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Hawk aircraft maintenance unit, goes through pre-flight servicing while preparing a Global Hawk for a combat mission Feb. 12, 2010, at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. The RQ-4s, assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing and deployed from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., achieved 1,500 combat sorties and 30,000 combat flying hours on Feb. 10 and 11 respectively. Sergeant Goenner is deployed from the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Beale AFB, and his hometown is Becker, Minn. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol/Released)

Deployed Global Hawks surpass 30,000 combat flying hours, 1,500 sorties

RQ-4 Global Hawk maintenance Airmen with the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Hawk aircraft maintenance unit goes through pre-flight servicing while preparing a Global Hawk for a combat mission Feb. 12, 2010, at a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia. The RQ-4s, assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing and deployed from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., achieved 1,500 combat sorties and 30,000 combat flying hours on Feb. 10 and 11 respectively. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol/Released)