rq-4 operations in japan · 2015. 3. 25. · i n t e g r i t y - s e r v i c e - e x c e l l e n c...

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RQ-4 Operations in Japan

5AF A3A

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

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Background

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

In 2010, full time deployment to Guam, ideal strategic location for RQ-4 operations

However, during summer months, many missions were lost due to severe en route turbulence

PACAF started to research alternative locations

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Background

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

The 2011 East Japan earthquake and nuclear crisis interrupted the study

RQ-4 was a valuable asset during the crisis

Late 2011, Misawa was selected as an ideal alternative location for summer ops

GoJ briefed that Misawa would be a viable location for summer ops

Fukushima nuclear facility (Mar 2011)

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Challenges

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

GoJ has no legal regulations for RPAs Airworthiness certificate initial issue No RPA operational experience GoJ had concerns about backup com Mil-Civ co-used congested airfield JASDF runway strip stand-by/barriers How to fly and where to fly in local area

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Misawa deployment

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

Early 2013 GoJ agrees to Misawa deploy Subsequently 2013 deployment was

cancelled due to budget cut A LOA was signed on 20 Mar 2014 for

summer ops at Misawa Key element of the LOA is that GH would

fly like any other aircraft at Misawa

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Flight Operations File and fly like typical manned aircraft 1801 flight plan is filed for every mission Aircraft will be dual controlled by LRE aircrews

at Misawa AB and MCE aircrews at Beale AFB NOTAM for departure and arrival No Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) Standard radio calls Stereotype departure and arrival

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MIS 090/074 42,000’ + 48,000’+

MIS 087/055 44,000’ + 49,000’+

MIS 073/060 36,000’ + 45,000’+

MIS 079/078 40,000’ + 47,000’+

B1 ENTRY/EXIT MIS 071/040 30,000 + IN

50,000 + OUT

MIS 106/002 4600’ +

ENKAI 12,000+’ 52,000’+

MIS 078/024 23,000’ +

HVT 52,000’ +

2+ X to 50,000’

Misawa AB RQ-4 Departure/Recovery Area Depiction

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Proven Weather Mitigation!

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

93%

63%

11%

2012 2013 2014

Weather Cancel Rate (Jun - Aug)

Andersen Andersen Misawa

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Reasons for Improvement

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

Great cooperation between the US/GOJ Focus on the mission by all ops units at

Misawa to accomplish mission objectives Favorable summer weather conditions Closer to areas of interest and allows for

longer station time GoJ interest in buying GH

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Successes

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

1st ever DOD RPA "file & fly" world-wide No TFR fly like local based aircraft 1st RQ-4 takeoff from mil/civ dual-use -- Safely integrating w/Civil Air Traffic Able to fly at Misawa when sea fog cancels manned flights due to low ceiling/visibility Seamlessly integrating with alert F-2 fighters Demo’d world-wide deployment capability for

Title 10 Congressional report

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The way ahead

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

2015 deployment on track for Misawa Operators will explore flying later into the

year to test winter weather and longer term deployment We will also assist GoJ on their GH

mission

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UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

“The Global Hawk ‘is a key component’ in the Pacific shift”

Gen Herbert Carlisle, Commander Pacific Air Forces, Washington, D.C., 5 May 14