{"id":23068,"date":"2019-03-05T17:47:14","date_gmt":"2019-03-05T17:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/03\/05\/air-force-mq-9-reaper-drones-based-in-poland-are-now-fully-operational\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:39:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:39:07","slug":"air-force-mq-9-reaper-drones-based-in-poland-are-now-fully-operational","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/unmanned\/2019\/03\/05\/air-force-mq-9-reaper-drones-based-in-poland-are-now-fully-operational\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones based in Poland are now fully operational"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. Air Force <a href=\"https:\/\/www.airforcetimes.com\/news\/your-air-force\/2019\/01\/03\/new-in-2019-two-new-us-airbases-in-africa-nearing-completion\/\" target=\"_blank\">MQ-9 Reapers<\/a> have been flying unarmed reconnaissance missions from Poland since May, but it wasn\u2019t until this month that the drones became fully operational.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Air Forces in Europe christened a new set of facilities at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2018\/08\/27\/mq-9-reaper-drones-in-romania-it-could-happen-soon\/\" target=_blank>Miroslawiec Air Base, Poland<\/a>, March 1 to help accommodate the Air National Guardsmen and contractors operating Reapers there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIn addition to the completion of these projects, another important change is the remotely piloted aircraft here are now operated by both contractors and U.S. military personnel,\u201d said Brig. Gen. Greg Semmel, Air National Guard assistant to the commander of Air Forces Europe, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis flexibility allows for the addition of new missions, and having U.S. military personnel expands the variety of missions we can accomplish,&#8221; Semmel added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. military now shares control of the Reapers at Miroslawiec during takeoff, flight and aircraft recovery with the contractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new facilities for U.S. personnel include secure processing centers, a large aircraft maintenance shelter, communications infrastructure and dormitories for those assigned there, according to a 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvidshub.net\/video\/663111\/miroslawiec-air-base-poland-detachment-2-becomes-fully-operational\" target=_blank>video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link smg-interstitial-link--fallback wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.airforcetimes.com\/news\/your-air-force\/2018\/09\/24\/air-force-jtacs-fighters-drones-and-more-head-to-ukraine-to-train-with-allies-on-russias-eastern-flank\/#.W6pMWOt8UYE.twitter\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__fallback-link\">Air Force JTACs, fighters, drones and more head to Ukraine to train with allies on Russia\u2019s western flank<\/a><\/aside>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Poland was chosen for the mission due to its \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.airforcetimes.com\/news\/2018\/06\/01\/air-force-reapers-are-now-flying-isr-missions-from-poland\/\" target=\"_blank\">strategic location in Eastern Europe<\/a>,&#8221; Auburn Davis, a civilian U.S. Air Forces in Europe official, told Air Force Times in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.airforcetimes.com\/news\/your-air-force\/2018\/03\/15\/air-force-ups-support-for-allies-in-europe-keeps-close-eye-on-russia\/\">Air Forces in Europe<\/a> has not provided many details regarding where the Reapers are flying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Service officials have only said that the drones are providing<a href=\"https:\/\/www.airforcetimes.com\/news\/your-air-force\/2018\/05\/31\/retention-bonuses-are-spiking-for-a-lot-of-air-force-pilots-could-you-get-up-to-420k\/\" target=\"_blank\"> intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance<\/a> in support of American foreign policy, as well as gathering force protection data for U.S. and international partners, according to an Air Forces Europe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usafe.af.mil\/News\/Article-Display\/Article\/1773928\/mq-9-detachment-becomes-fully-operational\/\" target=\"_blank\">news release<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"4640\" height=\"2944\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190301-F-EQ149-0040.JPG.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-51192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190301-F-EQ149-0040.JPG.jpg 4640w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190301-F-EQ149-0040.JPG.jpg?resize=300,190 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190301-F-EQ149-0040.JPG.jpg?resize=768,487 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190301-F-EQ149-0040.JPG.jpg?resize=1024,650 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190301-F-EQ149-0040.JPG.jpg?resize=1536,975 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190301-F-EQ149-0040.JPG.jpg?resize=2048,1299 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4640px) 100vw, 4640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">U.S. Air Force and Polish air force members react to a story shared by U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew Eiler, 52nd Expeditionary Operations Group Detachment 2 commander, right, during a meeting at Miroslawiec Air Base, Poland, March 1, 2019. The meeting was held before a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating Det. 2 reaching full operational capability. The proven partnership with Poland has been built upon shared values, experiences, and vision. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Cherry)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The airmen working out of Miroslawiec are part of the 52nd Fighter Wing\u2019s geographically separated 52nd Expeditionary Operations Group, Detachment 2. The wing is based at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI would like to express my gratitude to all of our U.S. friends for all you have done so far with the MQ-9 operation to provide for European security,\u201d said Polish air force Col. Lukasz Andrzejewski, 12th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle base commander at Miroslawiec Air Base, in the news release. \u201cWe appreciate all the support, involvement, openness and kindness you give us every day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. airmen work closely with the Polish air force when operating the MQ-9 out of Miroslawiec, U.S. Air Force Col. Andrew Eiler, Detachment 2\u2032s commander, said in the release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey all welcomed us into the community, they welcomed us into their restaurants, into their shops and into their homes,\u201d Eiler said. \u201cWe were neighbors, but became friends and family. I am very proud of the partnership and the capability that we\u2019ve built.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5158\" height=\"3158\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190228-F-EQ149-0008.JPG.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-51196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190228-F-EQ149-0008.JPG.jpg 5158w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190228-F-EQ149-0008.JPG.jpg?resize=300,184 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190228-F-EQ149-0008.JPG.jpg?resize=768,470 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190228-F-EQ149-0008.JPG.jpg?resize=1024,627 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190228-F-EQ149-0008.JPG.jpg?resize=1536,940 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/190228-F-EQ149-0008.JPG.jpg?resize=2048,1254 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 5158px) 100vw, 5158px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ryan Koyro, 52nd Expeditionary Operations Group Detachment 2 security forces member, left, and Airman 1st Class Brittney Shahin, 52nd EOG Det. 2 security forces member, right, patrol the fence line of a secured processing center at Miroslawiec Air Base, Poland, February 28, 2019. The secured processing center was one of several new facilities that opened recently, making Det. 2 fully operational. The U.S. and Poland work closely together on a range of global challenges, including promoting international peace and safeguarding European security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Cherry)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Polish government has been seeking<a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-army\/2019\/02\/12\/a-new-base-in-poland-wouldnt-take-us-troops-from-germany-us-ambassador-says\/\" target=_blank> closer defense ties to the U.S.<\/a> over the past year, going as far as to offer $2 billion to help establish a permanent military installation to house U.S. service members and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The growing foothold at Miroslawiec seems to be part of that courtship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOver the years our proven partnership with Poland has been built upon shared values, experience and vision,\u201d Semmel said. \u201cAs our environment continues to change, forward locations like Det. 2 become that much more critical at enhancing our ability to safeguard European security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2018\/11\/15\/mattis-polish-leaders-talk-possibility-of-fort-trump\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20180619_FLP_MIL_07.JPG.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Mattis, Polish leaders talk possibility of \u2018Fort Trump\u2019<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The possibility of a permanent U.S. military base in Poland moved a few steps forward this week.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since the 2014 Russian intervention in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-army\/2018\/12\/31\/why-russia-is-swallowing-the-black-sea-and-wont-stop-until-it-has-choked-out-ukraine\/\" target=\"_blank\">Ukraine\u2019s Crimea peninsula and Donbass region<\/a>, which remains an active conflict, Poland has played a larger role in the U.S. military\u2019s deterrence initiative in Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Poland often hosts <a href=\"https:\/\/www.armytimes.com\/news\/2018\/05\/29\/why-poland-wants-a-permanent-us-military-base-and-is-willing-to-pay-2-billion-for-it\/\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Army brigade combat teams<\/a> to practice responding to an invasion on NATO\u2019s eastern flank. The alliance\u2019s Joint Force Training Center is also headquartered in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In May, when the Reaper mission in Poland was first announced, a retired U.S. Air Force pilot who flew both the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper told Air Force Times that the drones would likely serve as a deterrent in support of NATO allies, with the flexibility of future employment if the situation in Ukraine deteriorated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Right now, though, the pilot said the drones would be difficult to use in conflict zones like eastern Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDrones may be vulnerable to Russian-supplied [anti-aircraft artillery] and [surface-to-air missiles], so it may not be prudent to commit them against the rebels or to escalate an already tense situation,\u201d the Reaper pilot said. \u201cWe currently operate in arenas where we have total air supremacy. That\u2019s something we would not have in eastern Ukraine.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The more likely air corridors are around the Black Sea and near the Baltic states, through which the Reapers will fly and provide their ISR services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Poland was chosen as a location for the mission due to its \u201cstrategic location in Eastern Europe.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":43821,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":27,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[7,160,46,11,36,27],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3374],"class_list":["post-23068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air","category-daily-news-roundup","category-europe","category-global","category-newsletters","category-unmanned"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"3EZAZBNFNBEYTHCWWYTLTGRUHI","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/your-air-force\/2019\/03\/05\/air-force-mq-9-reaper-drones-based-in-poland-are-now-fully-operational\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones based in Poland are now fully operational - Defense News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Poland was chosen as a location for the mission due to its \u201cstrategic location in Eastern Europe.&quot;\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones based in Poland are now fully operational\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Poland was chosen as a location for the mission due to its \u201cstrategic location in Eastern Europe.&quot;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" 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