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An aircraft accelerating down the runway with 8,500 pounds of
thrust and a wingspan greater than a Boeing 737 is inherently
dangerous. The danger is amplified when the pilot isn't even located
on board the aircraft. Trailing behind pursuing the aircraft is
“Hawkeye” ensuring the remotely piloted aircraft ascends from the
surly bonds of earth.
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November 1, 2016 - A RQ-4 Global Hawk proceeds down the taxiway
prior to departure at Beale Air Force Base, California. The RQ-4
Global Hawk is a high-altitude, intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bobby Cummings)
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The RQ-4 Global Hawk, serves as the U.S. Air Force high-altitude
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), long endurance,
remotely piloted aircraft. Global Hawks are loaded with an
integrated sensor suite and cameras capable of providing global
all-weather, day or night ISR, however while on the ground
visibility for pilots operating the aircraft from within the Mission
Control Element (MCE) is limited. That is where “Hawkeye” fulfills
its role.
“Hawkeye is any RQ-4 Pilot who performs pre-flight
inspections no differently than a typical pilot would conduct a
pre-flight inspection,” said 1st Lt. Jeffrey, 12th Reconnaissance
Squadron RQ-4 Global Hawk pilot. “The pilots in control at the MCE
have limited visibility; Hawkeye is the eyes and ears of RQ-4 Global
Hawks on the ground. While maintaining a safe distance, Hawkeye
pursues the aircraft at 40 mph down the runway until takeoff.”
Prior to engine start Hawkeye reviews a checklist with
maintenance personnel verifying the functionality of the aircraft.
“We guide them from a maintenance perspective during their walk
arounds,” said Staff Sgt. Josh Reynolds, 9th Aircraft Maintenance
Squadron RQ-4 Global Hawk crew chief. “We provide a second set of
eyes and answer any maintenance related questions the pilots may
have.”
According to Jeffrey, he has personally witnessed
multiple occasions where Hawkeye prevented a potential incident.
“Hawkeye has prevented various incidents from bird strikes,
runway incursions, located leaking hydraulic fluid and damaged
aircraft,” he said. “While deployed serving as Hawkeye I once
identified an engine fire on another jet.”
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November 1, 2016 - Capt. Thomas, 12th Reconnaissance Squadron RQ-4
Global Hawk pilot, reviews a pre-flight checklist at Beale Air Force
Base, California. Thomas fulfilled the role of “Hawkeye”. Hawkeye is
the call sign for the designated RQ-4 Pilot who performs pre-flight
inspections for RQ-4 Global Hawks prior to flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bobby Cummings)
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Aside from locating potential hazards and serving as the
eyes and ears of the aircraft, Hawkeye is also responsible
for communicating critical information to the pilots
coordinating with the air traffic controller before takeoffs
and landings.
“When the air traffic controller gives
clearance to land, Hawkeye is on the taxiway visually
locating the jet, ensures the airfield has no debris or
obstructions, and serves as a secondary source to the tower
notifying the pilot the aircraft is cleared to land,”
Jeffrey said.
RQ-4 Global Hawks possess the
capability to fly nonstop for 28 hours. Occasionally, the
pilots and their aircraft are geographically separated.
Although pilots and their aircraft are sometimes
separated, technology and mission elements such as Hawkeye
enable missions to be accomplished.
“Hawkeye conducts
those firsthand checks,” Jeffrey said. “When we fly, the
Hawkeye is there for every single takeoff and landing.”
By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bobby Cummings
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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