4th RS RQ-4 Global Hawk

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Benjamin Dallas, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron RQ-4B Global Hawk Crew Chief, inspects the nose landing gear assembly during Preflight inspection on an RQ-4B on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 16, 2024. The RQ-4B is constantly checked before and after each flight, with several members performing routine maintenance checks to ensure capability and safety. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Manasseh Demissie)

4th RS RQ-4 Global Hawk

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joshua Maver, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron RQ-4B Global Hawk Crew Chief, prepares aircraft for tow by connecting towbar to bobtail on an RQ-4B on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 16, 2024. The RQ-4B provides near real-time aerial imagery reconnaissance support to U.S. and partner nations assisting in a multitude of operations. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Manasseh Demissie)

4th RS RQ-4 Global Hawk

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. William Harris, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron RQ-4B Global Hawk Pilot, checks for leaks during his aircraft walk-around on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 17, 2024. The RQ-4B is thoroughly inspected before and after each flight, with several members performing routine maintenance checks to ensure capability and safety. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Manasseh Demissie)

4th RS RQ-4 Global Hawk

From right to left, Staff Sgt. Edward Oldham, 4th Reconnaissance Squadron Crew Chief, Airman 1st Class Zachery Gibson, 4 RS Crew Chief, and Airman 1st Class Andres Galarza, 4 RS Avionics system Journeymen, perform aircraft launch procedures from the Vehicle Test Controller on an RQ-4B Global Hawk aircraft on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 17, 2024. The Global Hawk is controlled and piloted by Rated Pilots trained in operating unmanned systems. The Crew consists of a Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) pilot, Mission Control Element (MCE) pilot, and a sensor operator. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Manasseh Demissie)

4th RS RQ-4 Global Hawk

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Benjamin Dallas 4th Reconnaissance Squadron RQ-4B Global Hawk Crew Chief, and Airman 1st Class Bailey Poage, Airmen from the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron, assist as team members during a tow to the aircraft launch spot on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 17, 2024. The RQ-4B operates the Ground Moving Target Indicator radar and possesses Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery capabilities. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Manasseh Demissie)

Unmanned, Unmatched - 4th RS Global Hawk

Published Sept. 20, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Manasseh Demissie
36th Wing

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

The 4th Reconnaissance Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 319th Operations Group from Grand Forks AFB, ND and stationed at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. From Guam, they operate the RQ-4B Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft. It was activated in July 2020. The mission of the 4th RS is to provide strategic intelligence to the United States and her allies via battle-ready High Altitude ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.)