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#1336 MQ-9 Reaper

MQ-9 Reaper
Purchased products will not feature the Squadron Prints watermark
£10.00 €11.99 $12.67
43.8 cm x 29.2 cm
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MQ-9 Reaper
M-001
306 Sqn
Leeuwarden AB
Netherlands - Air Force
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Description

Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1336 - M-001, MQ-9 Reaper, 306 Squadron, Leeuwarden Air Base, The Netherlands. 306 Squadron was formed on October 1st 1953 at Volkel Air Base equipped with Republic F-84G Thunderjets. In September 1954 the squadron moved to Germany where it would stay till December 1957, operating F-84E and G aircraft. Both the F-84G and F-84E had the nose of the left wing tank modified to carry a camera for reconnaissance purposes. In November 1954 the squadron moved to RAF Laarbruch and in 1956 it transitions to the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash. In 1957 the squadron also receives a couple of RT-33 recce trainers. In December 1957 the squadron is back on Dutch soil when it moved to Deelen Air Base. During 1962 the squadron moved to Twenthe Air Base and transitioned to the F-104 Starfighter, followed by a yet another move to Volkel Air Base in 1969. The Orpheus reconnaissance pod is introduced on the squadron’s Starfighters in 1974, greatly enhancing the recce capabilities. In 1983 the F-104 Starfighter was replaced by the new (R)F-16 Fighting Falcon. In November 2001 the squadron loses its recce task, but it was now responsible for all F-16 pilot training in the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Dutch F-16 pilot training moved to the USA and during 2007 the squadron moved to Springfield Airfield and continued their training task. The squadron disbands in December 2010 at Tucson, Arizona when the training task is taken over by the local 148th FS, United States Air Force. However, 306 Squadron will be reconstituted with the introduction of the MQ-9 Reaper into the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The MQ-9 Reaper will be an essential element of the Dutch combat intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capability. The real-time, day and night video coverage of the battle space, combined with the extensive use of on-board radar, provides a unique, cost effective and sustained capability that enhances the safety of troops on the ground. The MQ-9’s will be based at Leeuwarden AFB. This latest acquisition of 306 squadron will see the squadron go back to their original reconnaissance task, true to their motto: Videre vincere est (Zien is overwinnen).
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