MQ-1 Predator

The MQ-1 Predator provides armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target acquisition for coalition forces in Iraq. (Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

MQ-1 Predator

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system taxies down a runway Aug. 13 at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The Predator recently passed 400,000 flight hours during missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)

MQ-1 Predator

An MQ-1 Predator with the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron prepares to land at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, after a mission Nov. 8. Predators provide armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for ground force commanders. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson)

MQ-1 Predator

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft, armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, flies a combat mission over southern Afghanistan. The MQ-1 is deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom providing interdiction and armed reconnaissance against critical, perishable targets. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Lt. Col. Leslie Pratt)

MQ-1 Predator

Air Force officials are seeking volunteers for future training classes to produce operators of the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft. (Photo: U.S. Air Forcet/Lt Col Leslie Pratt)

MQ-1 Predator

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft assigned to the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron takes off from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., for a training mission. (Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)

MQ-1B Predator

A MQ-1B Predator from the 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron takes off in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom here July 9, 2008. Through the use of advanced capabilities, focused doctrine and detailed training the predator provides integrated and synchronized close air combat operations, to include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Sabrina Johnson)

MQ-1 Predator

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft, like the one shown here, crashed Feb. 9, 2010, during takeoff from an air base in Afghanistan. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Olufemi A. Owolabi)

MQ-1 Predator

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft prepares for takeoff in support of operations in Southwest Asia. Air Force officials announced Eglin Air Force Base complex in Florida as a candidate for an Air Force Reserve Command MQ-1 Remote Split-Operations squadron. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

AC-130 Spectre

The AC-130 gunship's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and force protection. Missions in close air support are troops in contact, convoy escort and urban operations. Air interdiction missions are conducted against preplanned targets or targets of opportunity. Force protection missions include air base defense and facilities defense. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

AC-130 Spectre

The AC-130 gunship's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and force protection. Missions in close air support are troops in contact, convoy escort and urban operations. Air interdiction missions are conducted against preplanned targets or targets of opportunity. Force protection missions include air base defense and facilities defense. (U.S. Air Force photo)

AC-130 Spectre

The AC-130 gunship's primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and force protection. These heavily armed aircraft incorporate side-firing weapons integrated with sophisticated sensor, navigation and fire control systems to provide surgical firepower or area saturation during extended loiter periods, at night and in adverse weather. (Photo: U.S. Air Force photo)

AC-130 Spectre

Air Force AC-130 gunships struck al Qaeda targets in Somalia Jan. 8, news sources reported last night. Press reports said the AC-130 attacks hit an area called Ras Kamboni, a heavily forested area near the Kenyan border. The area is allegedly a terror training base. The AC-130 gunship's primary missions are close-air support, air interdiction and force protection. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

AC-130H Spectre

An AC-130H Gunship aircraft from the 16th Special Operations Squadron out of Hurlburt Field, Fla., jettisons flares as an infrared countermeasure during multigunship formation egress training Aug. 24. (Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

AC-130 Spectre

An AC-130U gunship jettisons flares Aug. 20 over an area near Hurlburt Field, Fla. The flares are a countermeasure for heat-seeking missiles that may be fired at the aircraft during real world missions. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

AC-130 Spectre

An AC-130 Spectre from the 16th Special Operations Squadron flies a training mission Aug. 11, 2010, at Cannon Air Force Base, N. M. (Photo: U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Jack Braden)